Press release
PepsiCo Foods North America Launches New "Planting Pathways Initiative" To Expand Opportunities in the Agriculture Sector
The initiative includes industry-first pilot programs to build a more sustainable and equitable food system PLANO, Texas, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
About this update from Pepsico, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"The initiative includes industry-first pilot programs to build a more sustainable and equitable food system \nPLANO, Texas, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo Foods North America today announced its Planting Pathways Initiative, charting an industry-leading and transformative course for expanding agricultural opportunities. Recent USDA Census of Agriculture data shows that farmers under the age of 35 make up just 9% of the U.S. farming industry. The initiative aims to provide opportunities for young people and people from various backgrounds to enter the agriculture sector.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nPepsiCo has a business stake and responsibility to help grow a resilient and impactful supply chain.The Planting Pathways Initiative will begin with pilot programs that drive sustainable, systemic industry change. Long-term partnerships with nonprofit leaders in the agriculture industry underpin the program, with a shared commitment to making measurable progress toward achieving equitable access across the agricultural supply chain.\n\"I was born on a farm and am proud to work for PepsiCo, a company rooted in agriculture. I have immense respect for the growers and producers that form the backbone of our country. PepsiCo has a business stake and responsibility to help grow a resilient and impactful supply chain from the seeds in the field to the products on the shelf to the many people at home enjoying our products,\" said Margaret Henry, Vice President, Sustainable & Regenerative Agriculture at PepsiCo. \"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.\"\nPartnerships include:\nMulti-year partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) to provide opportunities for underrepresented and beginning farmers to enter and thrive in the agriculture industry. PepsiCo Foods North America will work with PFI to equip farmers with strong business plans, coaching and capital, robust networks and training opportunities.Partnership with the Farm Foundation to create career opportunities within the PepsiCo Foods North America supply chain and the agriculture industry at large. The investment will develop a two-year cohort program, Field to Future, that enables college students to receive career development su...