THE PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of global food and beverage leader PepsiCo, has donated four million meals, valued at approximately R1 855 508 (US$105 000), to FoodForward South Africa for vulnerable communities across the country. This contribution is the result of PepsiCo’s annual six-week global employee step challenge called Move for Good, powered by the PepsiCo Foundation.
The challenge mobilises PepsiCo’s over 300 000 associates to take steps throughout the campaign to activate a donation aimed at addressing hunger and food insecurity across the globe. For 2024, PepsiCo employees surpassed the collective global target of eight billion steps by achieving nine billion steps, with South Africa as the beneficiary country for the donation this year.
Food insecurity in South Africa is a real challenge, with an estimated 15% of the population, or approximately nine million people, experiencing hunger in 2023. It is believed that over 25% of South African households face concerns in accessing food. This was outlined in the recent General Household Survey by Stats SA.
Each year the Move for Good campaign encourages PepsiCo employees to engage in physical activity, knowing that all their efforts will support their personal wellbeing and contribute to a worthy charitable cause. People could choose any activity they enjoy, from walking and cycling to yoga and swimming, with all movement converted into “steps”.
“We are thrilled to be donating four million meals to FoodForward South Africa on behalf of this year’s global PepsiCo Move for Good campaign. We believe that FoodForward South Africa’s dedication to addressing food insecurity aligns perfectly with our PepsiCo Foundation mission to create positive change in the communities where we operate,” says Devendri Adari, PepsiCo Foundation’s South Africa Lead.
“In South Africa, food insecurity has reached alarming levels, particularly among children,” says Andy Du Plessis, the managing director of FoodForward South Africa. “The support from the PepsiCo Foundation, through the global Move for Good campaign, will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and families struggling with hunger,” he adds.
“Every step taken during the Move for Good challenge translated into a tangible contribution towards fighting hunger. It’s a powerful example of how collective action can create a meaningful impact. The partnership between the PepsiCo Foundation and FoodForward South Africa reflects a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity sustainably. This is driven by the FoodForward South Africa model, which focuses on redistributing edible surplus food, thereby minimising food waste while maximising the impact on communities in need,” says Riaan Heyl, CEO of PepsiCo South Africa.
“Together, we can take meaningful steps to combat hunger and create a brighter future for all,” concludes Du Plessis.
