News Summary
PepsiCo celebrated its first-ever Global Farmer Awards at its headquarters in Purchase, NY, honoring around 60 farmers and agriculture advisors from 19 countries. Highlighting sustainability and innovation in agriculture, the event showcased six award categories, with Chris and Harold Perry being recognized as Farmer of the Year. The awards align with PepsiCo’s goals of promoting regenerative agriculture practices and strengthening the global food system amidst rising environmental concerns. The event fosters greater recognition for farmers while addressing challenges in sustainable food production.
Purchase, NY Hosts PepsiCo’s Inaugural Global Farmer Awards
PepsiCo celebrated its first Global Farmer Awards at its headquarters in Purchase, NY, honoring nearly 60 farmers and agriculture advisors from across its global supply chain. The event highlighted achievements in sustainability, innovation, and leadership in agriculture, showcasing participants from 19 countries.
Ramon Laguarta, the CEO of PepsiCo, expressed the company’s view that farmers are the foundation of the global food system. The awards were organized into six categories: Sustainability, Next-Gen Farming, Leadership & Advisory, Heritage & Growth, Quality, and Farmer of the Year. One of the standout winners, Chris and Harold Perry of The Perry Family Farm in Alberta, Canada, earned the prestigious 2025 Farmer of the Year award for their regional leadership in regenerative agriculture and a longstanding relationship, spanning over 45 years, in supplying potatoes for Lay’s.
The Global Farmer Awards are part of PepsiCo’s expanded pep+ Positive Agriculture goal, which aims to implement regenerative agriculture practices across 10 million acres by 2030. As of 2024, the company has already reached over 3.5 million acres globally, demonstrating significant progress towards its sustainability objectives.
In conjunction with its farming initiatives, PepsiCo has launched a Climate Resilience Platform designed to provide farmers with insights into climate variables that could impact crop yields. Additionally, PepsiCo is collaborating on the STEP Up for Agriculture initiative alongside Unilever and various retailers, aiming to strengthen organizations that support farmers.
The event coincided with increasing concerns about the global food system, as highlighted by Jim Andrew, PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer. Factors such as soil degradation and extreme weather events threaten sustainable food production, prompting the need for innovative solutions.
The Global Farmer Awards included a three-day agenda featuring plenary sessions and a Taste & Tell Expo, which focused on the “crop to product” journey. PepsiCo emphasized its commitment to recognizing farmers’ contributions while addressing the challenges faced by the food system through innovation and collaboration.
PepsiCo’s business model significantly relies on agriculture, sourcing over 50 crops from more than 60 countries. The company reported nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, underscoring the economic importance of its operations and commitment to sustainability.
Overall, the Global Farmer Awards aim to elevate the stories of farmers and inspire collective action towards regenerative agricultural practices. These efforts not only support food system resilience but also reinforce PepsiCo’s position as a Dividend King, having paid and increased its dividend for 53 consecutive years, thereby fostering stability and investor confidence.
In conclusion, the Global Farmer Awards by PepsiCo has set a precedent for recognizing agricultural innovators and paving the way for sustainable practices in the industry. With ongoing initiatives and a strong commitment to regenerative agriculture, PepsiCo seeks to make a meaningful impact on global food production systems.
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Additional Resources
- Quality Assurance Magazine
- Wikipedia: Sustainable Agriculture
- PepsiCo Press Release
- Google Search: Global Farmer Awards
- PR Newswire
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Agriculture
- The Globe and Mail
- Google News: PepsiCo
- Progressive Grocer
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