Key Takeaways
- PepsiCo introduces its first-ever Global Farmer Awards at headquarters in Purchase, NY
- Event honors 60 farmers and advisors from 19 countries for excellence in sustainability, innovation, and leadership
- The Perry Family Farm of Alberta, Canada named 2025 Farmer of the Year
- Awards reinforce PepsiCo’s pep+ Positive Agriculture goals to scale regenerative practices across 10 million acres by 2030
- Ceremony highlights farmers as essential partners in building a more resilient global food system
Recognizing the Heart of PepsiCo’s Supply Chain
PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) has launched its first-ever Global Farmer Awards, a new initiative celebrating the farmers, families, and advisors powering the company’s global food system. The inaugural event took place at PepsiCo’s global headquarters in Purchase, New York, gathering nearly 60 participants from 19 countries.
“As one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies, our business starts with farmers,” said Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. “They are the heartbeat of our supply chain and the foundation of the global food system. These awards celebrate their contributions and reinforce our shared ambition to build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural system.”
The Perry Family Farm Named Farmer of the Year
Finalists were recognized across six award categories: Sustainability, Next-Gen Farming, Leadership & Advisory, Heritage & Growth, Quality, and Farmer of the Year.
The 2025 Farmer of the Year award was presented to Chris and Harold Perry of The Perry Family Farm in Alberta, Canada, a fourth-generation operation known for leadership in regenerative agriculture and renewable energy. The farm has supplied potatoes to Lay’s for over 45 years and serves as a regional model for sustainable farming and productivity.
Advancing the pep+ Positive Agriculture Agenda
The Global Farmer Awards align with PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) transformation strategy, which integrates sustainability into every aspect of the company’s operations. As part of this, PepsiCo has expanded its Positive Agriculture goals to drive regenerative practices across 10 million acres globally by 2030, having already achieved progress across 3.5 million acres.
Recent initiatives include the Climate Resilience Platform, a digital tool providing farmers with data-driven insights into weather, yield impacts, and soil conditions, and STEP Up for Agriculture, a collaboration with Unilever and major retailers to strengthen regenerative training and support networks for farmers worldwide.
“With soil degradation and extreme weather threatening the world’s ability to feed a growing population, accelerating regenerative agriculture is essential,” said Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo. “Farmers are at the center of this transition—they are key to implementing practical, scalable solutions that build resilience across global food systems.”
A Global Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration
The awards ceremony was part of a three-day event celebrating farming innovation and community. Attendees participated in interactive panels, a Taste & Tell Expo showcasing the crop-to-product journey, and cultural immersion experiences in New York City.
“This event is more than an award—it’s a way to show how much we value the farmers we work with,” said Marcelo Stefani, Global Chief Procurement Officer, PepsiCo. “By honoring agricultural leaders, we are spotlighting the innovation and dedication needed to feed a growing population while tackling climate challenges.”
Through the Global Farmer Awards, PepsiCo is recognizing the individuals who make sustainable food production possible and reaffirming its long-term commitment to advancing regenerative agriculture worldwide.
