The PepsiCo Foundation, in collaboration with Smile Foundation and the Sangrur District Administration, announced the successful culmination of a three-year initiative: the Nutrition Enhancement Program (NEP). Aligned with PepsiCo Positive (pep+), PepsiCo's end-to-end strategic transformation with sustainability at its center, this program has significantly exceeded its targets, making substantial strides in addressing the critical challenges of maternal and child nutrition in the Sangrur district of Punjab.

The NEP impacted over 16,000 beneficiaries directly and reached approximately 45,000 individuals overall - more than three times the original target. This remarkable achievement underscores the program’s effectiveness in transforming the nutritional landscape of the region. The program focused on improving the nutritional status of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 0-6 years across 23 villages, encompassing 27 Anganwadi Centres in the Bhawanigarh, Dhuri, Sunam and Monak blocks of Sangrur.

Jitendra Jorwal, IAS, District Commissioner, Sangrur said, “Over the past more than two years, the Nutrition Enhancement Programme has made significant strides in tackling undernutrition in Sangrur, thanks to the collaborative efforts of PepsiCo Foundation, Smile Foundation, and our dedicated government teams. The tireless efforts of our Anganwadi workers, who have reached some of the most underserved communities, have been key to this success. I'm delighted to share that the remarkable impact of strategic planning, close supervision, and active community engagement has resulted in significant reduction in anemia amongst the community.”

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Head Sustainability, PepsiCo India and South Asia said, "The Nutrition Enhancement Program is a testament to PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainable community development. By collaborating with Smile Foundation and the Sangrur District Administration, we have not only surpassed our targets but have also built a model for public-private partnership that addresses deep-rooted nutritional challenges. We are grateful to all our partners, PepsiCo Foundation and the community members who have been pivotal in this transformative journey; enabling a healthier future for the most vulnerable populations—young mothers and children."

"This program has exceeded our expectations in both reach and impact," said Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation. "The collaborative effort between PepsiCo Foundation, the ICDS department, and the Sangrur District Administration has led to visible and inspiring results, contributing to the government’s broader goals of nutritional security."

Key highlights of the NEP’s multipronged approach include:

The broader significance of the NEP aligns with global efforts to combat malnutrition, as highlighted by the UN's 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024' report. India holds a 14.37% share of the world’s undernourished population consisting of 194.6 million individuals, especially prevalent among women and children.

The northern region of Punjab, in particular, bears a burden higher than the national average, with 23% of children under five suffering from stunted growth and 14% of women displaying below-normal body mass index (BMI), as highlighted by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21. These figures underline the need for localized interventions like the NEP to address the nuanced challenges faced by communities in Sangrur.

Aligned with the goals of the Poshan Abhiyaan by the Government of India, the NEP improved the nutritional status of children, women, and adolescent girls. This initiative underscored PepsiCo India's guiding principle of 'Unnati ki Sajhedari- Partnership of Progress.' Through this principle, PepsiCo emphasizes collaboration with all stakeholders—government, civil society, and the community—towards holistic progress for all.