Key Takeaways:
- PepsiCo Foods North America announces the Planting Pathways Initiative to expand agricultural opportunities.
- The initiative targets young people and diverse backgrounds to enter the agriculture sector.
- Long-term partnerships with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Farm Foundation underpin the initiative.
- The program aims to address global food system challenges by fostering innovation and inclusivity in agriculture.
- The initiative supports PepsiCo’s Positive Agriculture agenda to create a resilient and inclusive food system.
PepsiCo Foods North America has unveiled its Planting Pathways Initiative to expand agricultural opportunities for young people and individuals from diverse backgrounds. According to recent USDA Census of Agriculture data, farmers under the age of 35 constitute just 9% of the U.S. farming industry. This initiative addresses this demographic imbalance and fosters a more inclusive agricultural sector.
Initiative Overview
The Planting Pathways Initiative will begin with pilot programs to drive sustainable, systemic industry change. Long-term partnerships with nonprofit leaders in the agriculture sector, such as Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) and the Farm Foundation, are integral to this effort. These partnerships are committed to achieving equitable access across the agricultural supply chain.
Margaret Henry, Vice President of Sustainable & Regenerative Agriculture at PepsiCo, emphasized the company’s commitment: “Providing access to food and building leaders for tomorrow are at the heart of our business at PepsiCo. I’m proud these partnerships reinforce our commitment to innovation in agriculture.”
Key Partnerships
PepsiCo’s collaboration with Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) aims to support underrepresented and beginning farmers. This multi-year partnership will provide these farmers with business plans, coaching, capital, networks, and training opportunities. Sally Worley, Executive Director of PFI, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “PepsiCo’s Planting Pathways Initiative has the potential to provide opportunities for more people to succeed in farming.”
Another crucial partnership is with the Farm Foundation to develop the Field to Future cohort program. This program will create career opportunities within the PepsiCo Foods North America supply chain and the broader agriculture industry. Shari Rogge-Fidler, President and CEO of Farm Foundation, commented, “Field to Future will foster future leaders in the food and agriculture industries.”
Addressing Global Food System Challenges
The Planting Pathways Initiative is part of PepsiCo’s broader strategy to address global food system challenges. By bringing fresh perspectives and innovation into the agriculture industry, PepsiCo aims to cultivate a robust agricultural supply chain from seed to shelf. This initiative supports PepsiCo’s Positive Agriculture agenda, which seeks to create a more resilient and inclusive food system by directly supporting farmers and improving social outcomes throughout the supply chain.
In 2021, PepsiCo launched PepsiCo Positive (pep+), an end-to-end transformation of its business to drive positive impact for both the planet and people. The Planting Pathways Initiative directly aligns with the pep+ agenda, reinforcing PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
