PepsiCo and FUNDAP Promote Food Security and Sustainable Production in Quetzaltenango

Fundación PepsiCo Guatemala has completed a year of its food security program, implemented with the support of the Foundation for the Integral Development of Socioeconomic Programs (FUNDAP) in rural communities of Quetzaltenango. The initiative benefited 206 families by strengthening food production, diversifying diets and developing skills for food preservation.

A Q380,000 investment to strengthen rural communities

The program received an investment of Q380,000 from Fundación PepsiCo Guatemala, which was used to improve the livelihoods of more than 1,000 people in the municipalities of Concepción Chiquirichapa and San Mateo, Quetzaltenango.

The initiative focused on providing families with tools, knowledge and opportunities to strengthen their food systems and improve their production capabilities.

“With this initiative we are supporting families so they have more tools, knowledge and opportunities to build more resilient food systems.” Rodrigo Borges, general manager of PepsiCo Foods for Central America.

Family gardens and poultry farming promote food production

One of the program’s key methodologies was the introduction of new crops, including broccoli, carrots, beets, Swiss chard, onions, cilantro, hierbamora and oyster mushrooms, among others.

Through the establishment of family gardens and poultry farms, participating families increased their access to fresh vegetables and sources of protein throughout the year.

For Mildred López, one of the program’s beneficiaries, having a garden has also represented an opportunity to save money at home while learning new skills.

“Having a garden is a great saving for my home because I harvest my own vegetables and no longer have to go buy them. It has been a great experience in which I have learned a lot.” Mildred López, beneficiary.

Training and technical assistance for participating families

As part of the program, families participated in 20 specialized training modules and received more than 950 personalized technical assistance sessions.

Agricultural and livestock supplies were also provided to strengthen family production and support the implementation of the practices developed through the program.

Beyond increasing food production, the initiative promoted practical knowledge to make better use of harvests and reduce food losses through food preservation and transformation.

Food transformation to reduce losses

The program included training in different methods for preserving and transforming food, helping families extend the useful life of their harvests.

Among the products and techniques addressed were the preparation of jams, pickled foods, sausages, cheeses, yogurt and syrups, as well as dehydration methods.

These practices provided families with additional knowledge to take advantage of their production and reduce losses after harvesting.

From family production to income generation

The program also seeks to create opportunities for families to move beyond food production for their own consumption and toward the generation of income through the sale of their productive surpluses.

“With this program, we seek for families to strengthen their food security and evolve toward generating income from the sale of their productive surpluses.” Nancy Gómez, Social Impact Manager at PepsiCo Caribbean and Central America

The initiative highlights the importance of alliances between social organizations, communities and the private sector in addressing the challenges faced by many rural communities in Guatemala and in promoting sustainable changes.

A collaborative effort for rural communities

The program was made possible through the voluntary contributions of PepsiCo employees, together with contributions from the company.

Through this initiative, PepsiCo, aligned with its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) sustainability strategy, continues to promote alliances and solutions that contribute to the development of rural communities in Guatemala.