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PepsiCo, Unilever & others launch ‘STEP up for Agriculture’ Initiative
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Monday, 22 September, 2025, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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New York, USA
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Leading retail and global food and beverage companies including PepsiCo and Unilever announce the launch of Supporting Trusted Engagement and Partnership (STEP), up for Agriculture (STEP up for Ag), a pre-competitive initiative designed to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of farmer-facing support organisations across North America.
Jim Andrews, chief sustainability officer, said, "PepsiCo is rooted in agriculture, and farmers are at the heart of our food systems. STEP up for Ag is about investing in the organisations that support farmers every day, aiming to ensure they can grow, innovate and lead the transition to more sustainable agriculture. When farmers thrive, we all thrive."
Regenerative agriculture can be a powerful tool to promote healthier soil, as well as to reduce agricultural emissions, enhance biodiversity and watershed health, and help raise the standard of living for farmers and farming communities. It's why the company— which sources approximately 50 key agricultural crops and ingredients from more than 60 countries around the world— has a goal to drive the adoption of regenerative agriculture, restorative, or protective practices across 10 million acres by 2030.
Scaling regenerative agriculture requires more than just technical solutions—it depends on trusted relationships and local expertise. Farmers are more likely to adopt new practices when they see clear benefits and receive guidance from organisations they know and trust. That's why farmer-led, farmer-facing support groups are critical to the success of corporate regenerative agriculture programmes.
Chris Beaudry, 4th generation farmer in St Front, Saskatchewan and South East Research Farm member, said, "The PepsiCo programme has given me the flexibility to try a lot of the regenerative practices I have wanted to implement, and across more acres. When we decided to do this regenerative agriculture thing, we wanted to be playing the long game. Something that will benefit our soil, that will benefit me if I am farming in my fifties and sixties. Or my kids if they are farming after me. When you, as a farmer, start looking at your soil having an interdependent relationship with you, then you can start making decisions that benefit you, benefit the crop and benefit us as humans as well."
STEP Up for Agriculture seeks to strengthen these local organisations by equipping them with tools, training, and resources needed to support farmers on the ground. This approach is designed to unlock scale by meeting farmers where they are, with the aim of accelerating adoption across diverse geographies and creating a ripple effect of trust and innovation throughout the supply chain.
Kristina Friedman, head of sustainability for Unilever North America, said, "Regenerative agriculture is a big part of how we're building a stronger, more resilient supply chain and food system – and Unilever is committed to rolling out regenerative agriculture principles across 1 million hectares globally by 2030. STEP up for Ag can help us move faster and smarter, empowering farmer-led groups with the tools they need and opening doors to more great suppliers to grow our business. Our longstanding work with Practical Farmers of Iowa has been game-changing, and this next chapter is a huge step forward."
Jim Moseley, US Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary (2001-2005), farmer and board member of FarmAdvisor, said, "Farmers learning about new conservation practices requires an ecosystem of learning. First, each of us must understand 'why' it's important. Second is learning --- available information is now so easy to obtain. But the essential third and most valuable part of our ecosystem is the ability to have a real farmer, an experienced mentor, stand side by side and help. Investing in and supporting these relationships is important because those who have already adopted new conservation practices understand the consequences for the future of our productive US soils, our water quality, and a diverse biological community if we don't."
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