TEXAS | PepsiCo Foods North America has announced its Planting Pathways Initiative, charting an industry-leading course for expanding agricultural opportunities.
Recent USDA Census of Agriculture data showed that farmers under 35 made up just nine percent of the U.S. farming industry. The initiative has aimed to provide opportunities for young people and people from various backgrounds to enter the agriculture sector.
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 toward achieving equitable access across the agricultural supply chain.
"I was born on a farm and am proud to work for PepsiCo, an agriculture-based company. 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 of 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."
PepsiCo Foods North America will partner with Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) for a multi-year period to provide opportunities for underrepresented and beginning farmers. PFI will equip farmers with solid 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. The investment will develop a two-year cohort program, Field to Future, that enables college students to receive career development support in the agricultural sector and will also allow select individuals to participate in a two-year paid internship within PepsiCo.
The company's investment and focus on these partnerships address widespread global food system challenges. All PepsiCo Foods products are born in the field—starting as potatoes, corn, or oats—and PepsiCo is committed to cultivating a robust agricultural supply chain from the seed to the shelf.
"We are grateful to partner with PepsiCo Foods North America on this initiative to enable underrepresented farmers to start and maintain a thriving farm business," said Sally Worley, Executive Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa.
"PepsiCo's Planting Pathways Initiative has the potential to provide opportunities for more people to succeed in farming."
The Field to Future cohort program, in partnership with the Farm Foundation, is another critical component of the Planting Pathways Initiative.
"Field to Future will foster future leaders in the food and agriculture industries," said Shari Rogge-Fidler, President and CEO of the Farm Foundation.
“Pairing PepsiCo Foods' commitment with the Farm Foundation's network of food and agriculture experts creates opportunities that will shape these industries for years to come."
In 2021, PepsiCo launched PepsiCo Positive (pep+), the end-to-end transformation of its business to drive positive impact for both the planet and people. This announcement directly supports the pep+ Positive Agriculture agenda.
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