PepsiCo Celebrates Farmers Through First Global Farmer Awards Initiative
In a groundbreaking event, PepsiCo recently launched its inaugural Global Farmer Awards at the company's headquarters in Purchase, New York. This event gathered nearly 60 farmers and agricultural advisors hailing from 19 different countries, all recognized for their remarkable dedication to sustainable practices and their vital role within PepsiCo's extensive supply chain. As one of the leading food and beverage companies, PepsiCo sources over 50 crops from more than 60 countries, making the contributions of these farmers essential to the company’s operations and mission.
CEO Ramon Laguarta underscored the importance of farmers in the ecosystem, stating, "They are the heartbeat of our supply chain and the foundation of the global food system." The awards aim not only to celebrate these agricultural heroes but also to elevate the conversation around innovative farming practices, sustainability, and the shared ambition of building a more inclusive agricultural system.
Award finalists were recognized across six distinct categories, including Sustainability, Next-Gen Farming, Leadership Advisory, Heritage Growth, Quality, and the top honor of Farmer of the Year. Among these, the coveted title was awarded to Chris and Harold Perry of The Perry Family Farm, a fourth-generation farm based in Alberta, Canada. Renowned for their commitment to regenerative agriculture, the Perry family has supplied potatoes for Lay’s chips for over 45 years. Their achievement represents the pinnacle of innovation within the food production industry.
The Global Farmer Awards come in line with PepsiCo's pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda, a transformative initiative that integrates sustainability at the core of the company’s strategy. This program is committed to improving regenerative agricultural practices across 10 million acres by 2030, with over 3.5 million acres already achieved as of 2024. PepsiCo's dedication to enhancing agricultural methods involves investments in farmer training and advanced technology aimed at improving soil health and biodiversity across its supply chains.
A notable advancement is the Climate Resilience Platform, an award-winning digital tool designed to provide farmers with crucial insights into climate conditions and potential impacts on yields. Additionally, the STEP Up for Agriculture initiative—launched in partnership with Unilever—aims to strengthen the support structures that empower farmers to adopt sustainable practices.
As emphasized by Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, the global food system faces immediate threats from climate challenges, necessitating urgent actions to make agricultural practices more resilient. "Farmers need to be at the center of this transition— they are essential for implementing solutions globally," he remarked. The Global Farmer Awards serve as a platform to underscore this importance, inspiring collaboration and showcasing effective regenerative solutions that contribute to a stronger food system.
The awards event was complemented by a range of activities spanning three days. Farmers participated in plenary sessions, cultural immersion activities in New York City, and shared their experiences in panels alongside PepsiCo executives. The overarching theme was to emphasize how much the company values its partnerships with farmers, as articulated by Marcelo Stefani, the Global Chief Procurement Officer at PepsiCo, who reiterated the company's commitment to supporting agricultural leaders and innovation critical for feeding a growing global population amid changing climate conditions.
PepsiCo has become a vital player in the global market, generating $92 billion in net revenue for 2024 through a diverse portfolio that includes iconic brands such as Lay's, Doritos, Gatorade, and many others. Their vision is to lead in the beverage and convenient foods sector by integrating sustainability deeply into their operational framework. The Global Farmer Awards is just one of the many steps in this long-term mission to ensure a sustainable future for both the company and the communities it serves.
CEO Ramon Laguarta underscored the importance of farmers in the ecosystem, stating, "They are the heartbeat of our supply chain and the foundation of the global food system." The awards aim not only to celebrate these agricultural heroes but also to elevate the conversation around innovative farming practices, sustainability, and the shared ambition of building a more inclusive agricultural system.
Award finalists were recognized across six distinct categories, including Sustainability, Next-Gen Farming, Leadership Advisory, Heritage Growth, Quality, and the top honor of Farmer of the Year. Among these, the coveted title was awarded to Chris and Harold Perry of The Perry Family Farm, a fourth-generation farm based in Alberta, Canada. Renowned for their commitment to regenerative agriculture, the Perry family has supplied potatoes for Lay’s chips for over 45 years. Their achievement represents the pinnacle of innovation within the food production industry.
The Global Farmer Awards come in line with PepsiCo's pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda, a transformative initiative that integrates sustainability at the core of the company’s strategy. This program is committed to improving regenerative agricultural practices across 10 million acres by 2030, with over 3.5 million acres already achieved as of 2024. PepsiCo's dedication to enhancing agricultural methods involves investments in farmer training and advanced technology aimed at improving soil health and biodiversity across its supply chains.
A notable advancement is the Climate Resilience Platform, an award-winning digital tool designed to provide farmers with crucial insights into climate conditions and potential impacts on yields. Additionally, the STEP Up for Agriculture initiative—launched in partnership with Unilever—aims to strengthen the support structures that empower farmers to adopt sustainable practices.
As emphasized by Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, the global food system faces immediate threats from climate challenges, necessitating urgent actions to make agricultural practices more resilient. "Farmers need to be at the center of this transition— they are essential for implementing solutions globally," he remarked. The Global Farmer Awards serve as a platform to underscore this importance, inspiring collaboration and showcasing effective regenerative solutions that contribute to a stronger food system.
The awards event was complemented by a range of activities spanning three days. Farmers participated in plenary sessions, cultural immersion activities in New York City, and shared their experiences in panels alongside PepsiCo executives. The overarching theme was to emphasize how much the company values its partnerships with farmers, as articulated by Marcelo Stefani, the Global Chief Procurement Officer at PepsiCo, who reiterated the company's commitment to supporting agricultural leaders and innovation critical for feeding a growing global population amid changing climate conditions.
PepsiCo has become a vital player in the global market, generating $92 billion in net revenue for 2024 through a diverse portfolio that includes iconic brands such as Lay's, Doritos, Gatorade, and many others. Their vision is to lead in the beverage and convenient foods sector by integrating sustainability deeply into their operational framework. The Global Farmer Awards is just one of the many steps in this long-term mission to ensure a sustainable future for both the company and the communities it serves.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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