Food and beverage giant PepsiCo ANZ has partnered with the Cool Soil initiative to bring canola to the GHG reduction program (greenhouse gas).
The initiative is a paddock-to-product partnership, working with grain producers through regional farming systems to test and validate management practices that aim to reduce on-farm GHG emissions and support ongoing sustainability, profitability, and productivity of farming enterprises.
Each year, PepsiCo uses an estimated 7000 tonnes of canola oil to produce its major snack brands like Doritos and Smith’s, and the majority of the oil used by the company is sourced from regions where the Cool Soil initiative is active.
The company said the partnership will allow it to support farmers in future-proofing their systems, ensuring the company can continue to source sustainably-produced canola.
Brent Gapes, sustainability manager, ANZ at PepsiCo, said that as one of the country’s largest snack manufacturers, it recognises a 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,” said Gapes.
The announcement extends the project’s reach, 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.
Dr Cassandra Schefe, project lead at Cool Soil Initiative, said she supports the partnership and added that the only way to have clear alignment and mutual understanding for farmers and supply chain partners is by working together for sustainability.
The support of PepsiCo enables further expansion of impact of the Cool Soil Initiative while validating our farmer-focused, whole-of-industry approach,” concluded Schefe.
