PepsiCo ANZ has announced that it is partnering with the Cool Soil Initiative, bringing canola to the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction program for the first time.
The Cool Soil Initiative is a paddock-to-product partnership, working with grain growers through regional farming systems to test and validate management practices that can mitigate on-farm GHG emissions, to support the ongoing sustainability, productivity and profitability of farming enterprises.
The announcement extends the reach of the project, which currently works with more than 180 wheat and grain farmers in regional farming systems groups, with support from Mars Petcare, Kellogg, Manildra Group, Allied Pinnacle, Corson, Charles Sturt University and the Food Agility CRC.
PepsiCo sources more than 7,000 tonnes of Australian canola oil annually to make its major snack brands such as Smith’s and Doritos. The majority of the canola used by PepsiCo is sourced from regions where the Cool Soils Initiative is active.
Joining the partnership will enable PepsiCo to contribute to supporting farmers in future-proofing their farming systems, while ensuring that PepsiCo can continue to source sustainably-produced canola from these regions into the future.
The farmer-focused approach of the Cool Soil Initiative also clearly aligns with PepsiCo Positive, an initiative that guides the business on how to inspire positive change for the planet and people.
Brent Gapes, sustainability manager, ANZ at PepsiCo, said: “As one of Australia’s largest snack manufacturers we recognise we have a real responsibility to invest in improving the sustainability of our supply chain.
“Bringing canola into the Cool Soil Initiative is another first for us on this journey – delivering real benefits to our customers, partners, consumers and the industry at large.”
Dr Cassandra Schefe, project lead for the Cool Soil Initiative further supports this approach.
“The only way we are going to provide clear alignment and mutual benefit for farmers and supply chain partners is if we work together in a pre-competitive collaboration for common sustainability outcomes. The support of PepsiCo enables further expansion of impact of the Cool Soil Initiative, while validating our farmer-focused, whole of industry approach,” she said.