Key Highlights
- Scope 3 Collaboration: Ahold Delhaize USA partners with Campbell’s to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from potato farming.
- Regenerative Agriculture: Initiative promotes soil health and sustainable farming techniques across 1,000 acres in North Carolina, New York, and Michigan.
- Product Integration: Potatoes from the project will contribute to products like Kettle Brand® chips, Cape Cod® chips, and Campbell’s® soups available in Ahold Delhaize USA stores.
- Pilot Goals: Reduce carbon emissions, improve soil health, and advance sustainability practices in the supply chain.
Partnership to Drive Agricultural Sustainability
Ahold Delhaize USA (Profile) has announced a new Scope 3 pilot program aimed at reducing emissions from potato farming, in collaboration with Campbell’s. This initiative will focus on implementing regenerative agriculture techniques to create more resilient farming systems and minimize environmental impact. The pilot is part of the companies’ broader efforts to address Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions across their value chains.
Marc Stolzman, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ahold Delhaize USA, stated: “We’re excited to explore the potential positive impacts of regenerative agriculture on another crop as part of our continued progress on Scope 3. Both companies have strong commitments to environmental sustainability, and we’re proud to work alongside the Campbell’s team to reduce emissions in the value chain.”
Pilot Program Details
The program will span three years and involve three potato farms in North Carolina, New York, and Michigan, covering approximately 1,000 acres. These farms represent the acreage needed annually to grow potatoes used in Campbell’s products sold in Ahold Delhaize USA stores.
Key practices being tested include:
- Cover Cropping: Enhancing soil health and reducing erosion.
- Compost Application: Boosting organic matter and soil fertility.
- Nutrient Management: Optimizing fertilizer use to lower emissions.
- Renewable Energy: Converting farm equipment to sustainable energy sources.
The potatoes harvested will be blended with conventionally grown potatoes to produce popular products such as Kettle Brand® chips, Cape Cod® chips, and Campbell’s® soups.
Industry Collaboration and Impact
This pilot builds on Campbell’s broader sustainability program, which has engaged all its potato suppliers since 2023. By working together, the companies aim to measure soil health improvements, emissions reductions, and the overall impact of sustainable practices.
Stewart Lindsay, Campbell’s Chief Sustainability Officer, remarked: “Potatoes are a key ingredient used across our portfolio. Collaborations like this help connect our customers and consumers to the farmers who grow key ingredients while advancing sustainability and regenerative agricultural practices in our supply chain.”
Farmers participating in the pilot, such as CSS Farms in New York, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential. Matt Maughan, Director of Ag Innovation and Sustainability at CSS Farms, stated: “With the support of Campbell’s and Ahold Delhaize USA, we are proud to advance our sustainability efforts. We look forward to the important impact we can make together.”
Broader Scope 3 Efforts
This marks Ahold Delhaize USA’s third farmland-focused pilot announced in 2024 and adds to Campbell’s work in regenerative agriculture, which includes projects with tomato farmers in California and U.S. wheat suppliers.
Kendrick Repko, Director of Sustainable Products at Ahold Delhaize USA, emphasized the importance of learnings from these initiatives: “The takeaways will allow us to broaden our partnerships and advance this important work.”
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