FMCG, e-comm majors contribute toward relief measures in Chennai

While last week, some e-commerce majors came together to help rain-hit Chennai with use of technology and social media platform, FMCG giants have now begun contributing heavily towards the relief operations.
Nestle India, which relaunched Maggi noodles on retail shelves recently after a five-month ban, is among the the top suppliers of food and beverage products for people affected by heavy rains in Chennai.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries recently said it is coordinating with all food processing companies for supply of packaged milk, packaged food and bottled water and also listed out names of eight companies who have made available supplies of food and beverage products to the Tamil Nadu government at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
“It is time to stand up and make exemplary contribution for the flood affected people of Chennai who have been patronizing food brands and products manufactured by the industry,” Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Food Processing Industries, said in a statement.
The list of seven such companies included Nestle India on the top with supplies of 10 MT of noodles, 5000 litres of tetra packed milk and 50000 pouches of coffee.

Read: E-commerce majors come together to aid battered Chennai
Among other products, Nestle has also supplied the ‘two-minute’ Maggi noodles to the Tamil Nadu government towards the relief operations.
ITC has also supplied six truckloads consisting of 3163 boxes of biscuits. MTR has supplied about 14,128 ready-to-eat food packets and another quantity of 35000 ready-to-eat food packets will be delivered today(Monday), the statement notes.
Britannia has supplied three truckloads of 345 boxes of biscuits today and remaining 2 truckloads of food items. They have also been requested to supply additional quantity of milk produce and some bread.
Coca Cola India has supplied 50,000 one-litre water bottles, while Pepisco has supplied 12,000 one-litre water bottles. Parle is arranging to send three truckloads of Parle biscuits, it added.
Last week, some e-commerce majors chipped in to help people stranded in Chennai.
Online food delivery app Zomato has launched a ‘Meal for Flood relief’ delivery service. With every meal bought by anyone, Zomato contributed a meal from their side and ensured that it’s delivered to those in need at the flood-affected areas in Chennai.
Within just 11 hours of going live, the company reached a 55,000 meals mark, making the final tally to 1,10,000 meals.
Mobile payment and commerce marketplace, Paytm is offering Rs. 30 worth of free talk-time to anyone who would like to remain connected.
Practo, the healthcare discovery platform, is reportedly calling doctors listed on their platform to see if they are available to lend services to those affected. The company has created a Google document and is crowdsourcing data, and validating doctors before it is open for public.
In recent days, cab aggregator Ola made headlines after launching Ola Boats to help rescue people in waterlogged and partially submerged areas of Chennai on the basis of information from the Fire and Rescue department.