AGRIC AND FOOD : View Posts

CHARLOTTE, NC – Dole Food Company (NYSE: DOLE) has announced seven projects selected for the 2025-26 Harvesting Dreams program, an employee-led initiative that transforms local ideas into practical social, environmental and operational solutions.

Six of the projects are based in Latin America, where teams will address critical community priorities including safe drinking water, watershed protection, healthcare access, housing and sustainable agriculture.

In Ecuador, Clean Water Access will strengthen reliable access to safe drinking water for the La Victoria community. In Honduras, Our Water Sources, Our Future will promote the sustainable protection and management of micro-watersheds, while the AGROPOR Medical System will provide on-site healthcare support for employees and their families. In Guatemala, an Integrated Public Pharmacy will help improve community access to medicines and public health services.

Two Costa Rica initiatives will advance targeted weed management and sustainable pineapple production, as well as housing improvements, family gardens and employee volunteering. In the United States, Bobby’s Classroom Connections will support education, nutrition and corporate volunteering in a vulnerable school community, marking the country’s first participation in the program.

“At Dole, we are proud of our longstanding grassroots culture of sustainability,” said Xavier Roussel, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Dole Food Company. “Harvesting Dreams starts with the people who know our operations and communities best. Their ideas, combined with strong local partnerships, can improve access to water and healthcare, protect natural resources and create lasting benefits for families.”

Launched in 2021, Harvesting Dreams is grounded in The Dole Way, the company’s sustainability framework built around the pillars of For People, For Food and For Nature. Projects are developed through collaboration among Dole employees, public institutions, community organizations, NGOs, academic institutions and technical partners, with an emphasis on measurable, locally owned solutions.

Implementation is expected to begin during the second half of 2026, with all seven projects targeted for full implementation by December 2028.

The first edition of Harvesting Dreams supported watershed recovery in Honduras, expanded safe drinking water access, improved cooking solutions in Guatemala, emissions-reduction efforts in Costa Rica and expanded medical services for employees.

For more information, visit https://www.dole.com.

About Dole Food Company

Dole Food Company, part of Dole plc, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education. For more information, please visit www.dole.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Global Water Challenge (GWC) and Cargill announced today the expansion of their Cargill Currents partnership into Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica and Türkiye. Launched by GWC and Cargill in 2021, Cargill Currents is a joint initiative that works in partnership with communities, governments and local organizations to help address the water challenges facing each region. As part of a global partnership, these new country activities join ongoing programming underway in Brazil, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and North America. Planned activities include improving access to safe water and sanitation, repairing water systems and supporting their long-term maintenance, promoting more efficient water use in farming, and restoring and monitoring watersheds.

Since the partnership’s launch, Cargill Currents has supported programming across five continents, with outcomes that include improving water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for nearly 200,000 people in Brazil and West Africa. Across North America, the partnership has supported regenerative agriculture across nearly 42,000 hectares; restored more than 1,700 hectares of forests, wetlands and grasslands; and planted more than 283,000 trees.

“Water is essential to people and agriculture, which makes it essential to our business,” said Pete Dahm, senior director, sustainability and global water lead at Cargill. “We’re excited to further expand our partnership with GWC through this next phase of Cargill Currents and build on the strong progress we’ve made together over the past five years.”
New Cargill Currents country activities include the following expected outcomes:

Bolivia: Improved access to safe water and sanitation for more than 1,000 households – representing more than 3,500 people – while supporting watershed conservation and local management of water systems.
Colombia: Improved reliable drinking water access for approximately 1,000 people across five rural communities through aqueduct rehabilitation, water treatment solutions and strengthened community water governance.
Costa Rica: Improved long-term water security for 10,000 people by modernizing aging water infrastructure. These improvements will help reduce water losses frequently caused by leaks and other inefficiencies in aging pipes and infrastructure. The partnership will also strengthen the capacity of local utilities to manage and maintain their systems.
Türkiye: Implementation of sustainable agriculture practices for 125 farmers around Lake İznik with training in precision irrigation and regenerative practices designed to use water more efficiently across 500 hectares. The project is expected to conserve an estimated 374 million liters of water annually.

Expanded Cargill Currents country initiatives include the following expected outcomes:

Brazil: Improved WASH services for nearly 38,000 people across 39 communities and 61 schools in Bahia and Pará.
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana: Improved WASH services and programs focused on strengthening women’s livelihoods and community water management for approximately 55,000 people across twelve cocoa-growing communities (six in each country).
North America: Watershed mapping and assessment for approximately 170,000 hectares of estuarine and marine ecosystems in California’s San Francisco Bay-Delta to identify erosion risks, habitat conditions and climate vulnerabilities. The findings will inform projects, such as planting native vegetation and restoring wetlands, to help reduce erosion and protect nearby coastal communities.

“Water security looks different in every community, and the solutions must be designed accordingly. Our Cargill Currents partnership brings together the resources, expertise and local leadership needed to respond to those differences – from strengthening water systems and expanding access to safe water and sanitation, to helping farmers use water more efficiently and protecting the watersheds communities depend on. As we reflect after World Water Week, expanding this work into four new countries is an important step in building lasting water security where it is needed most,” said Monica Ellis, CEO of Global Water Challenge.

This work supports Cargill’s ambition of enabling a water positive impact across its operations, supply chains and communities by 2030. Learn more about how Cargill works to improve water access, availability and quality around the world.

About Cargill
Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 155K+ employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About Global Water Challenge (GWC)
Global Water Challenge (GWC) is a sector leader in mobilizing clean water access and advancing water security and community empowerment in high need regions around the world. Since 2006, GWC has positively impacted millions of people across Africa, the Americas and Asia with improved WASH delivery and water security. With over 600+ multi-sector partners, we engage for action – catalyzing financial resources and driving innovative programming for sustainable, local solutions. For more information, please visit globalwaterchallenge.org.

SPRINGDALE, Ark.– Tyson Foods is making strategic changes to its beef operations to position the company for long-term success. Tyson Foods will anchor its beef business around three strategically located beef facilities in the central United States: Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas and Amarillo, Texas, to create a more competitive footprint amidst one of the most historic cattle shortages the country has ever experienced. Recent USDA cattle inventory data, which included continued evidence of limited heifer retention, indicates these supply constraints are likely to persist, requiring strategic action.

The company will end operations at its Joslin, Illinois, beef facility and its Eagle Mountain, Utah, case-ready facility. Capacity from these locations will be moved to more strategically located facilities with ample capacity to grow. Additionally, Tyson Foods is pursuing the sale of its Pasco, Washington, beef facility. With these changes, the company will ramp back up a second shift at its Amarillo, Texas facility as cattle become available. Collectively, these changes will allow the company to maintain a similar level of cattle harvesting across a more efficient and modern network.

Tyson Foods recognizes the impact these decisions have on team members and communities. The company is committed to supporting our team members through this transition, including helping them apply for open positions at other facilities.

With these changes, Tyson Foods is ensuring that it will continue to deliver high-quality, affordable, and nutritious protein for generations to come.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is a world-class food company and recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, it has grown under four generations of family leadership. The Company is unified by this purpose: Tyson Foods. We Feed the World Like Family™ and has a broad portfolio of iconic products and brands including Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, State Fair®, Aidells® and ibp®. Tyson Foods is dedicated to bringing high-quality food to every table in the world, safely and affordably, now and for future generations. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company is a member of the S&P 500 and Russell 1000 large capitalization indices. It had approximately 133,000 team members on September 27, 2025. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

Companies in this industry sector grow crops, raise or fatten animals for animal products, and grow and harvest timber. Major crop production companies include AMAGGI, Chiquita, Dole Food Company, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Sunkist Growers, and Total Produce; major animal production companies include Agri Beef, Dairy Farmers of America, JBS SA, and WH Group. Major timber operations include PotlatchDeltic, Resolute Forest Products, Stora Enso, and Weyerhaeuser.

The global agricultural market was about $12 trillion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%, according to The Business Research Company. According to Investopedia, the US, China, India, and Russia are among the top cereal and vegetable crop producers. Top wood product sources include Canada, Russia, Sweden, and the US, according to WorldsTopExports.

The US agriculture and forestry sector includes about 2 million farms and about 3,000 timber companies with combined annual revenue of nearly $500 billion.

In 2016, 21.4 million full- and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sectors—11.0 percent of total U.S. employment. Direct on-farm employment accounted for about 2.6 million of these jobs, or 1.4 percent of U.S. employment. Employment in agriculture- and food-related industries supported another 18.7 million jobs. Of this, food service, eating and drinking places accounted for the largest share—12.2 million jobs—and food/beverage stores supported 3.2 million jobs. The remaining agriculture-related industries together added another 3.3 million jobs.

In 2015, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed more than 1.5 million people, or just over 1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment. In over 34,000 food and beverage manufacturing plants located throughout the country, these employees were engaged in transforming raw agricultural materials into products for intermediate or final consumption. Meat and poultry plants employed the largest percentage of food and beverage manufacturing workers, followed by bakeries, and fruit and vegetable processing plants.

Companies in this industry sector grow crops, raise or fatten animals for animal products, and grow and harvest timber. Major crop production companies include AMAGGI, Chiquita, Dole Food Company, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Sunkist Growers, and Total Produce; major animal production companies include Agri Beef, Dairy Farmers of America, JBS SA, and WH Group. Major timber operations include PotlatchDeltic, Resolute Forest Products, Stora Enso, and Weyerhaeuser.

The global agricultural market was about $12 trillion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%, according to The Business Research Company. According to Investopedia, the US, China, India, and Russia are among the top cereal and vegetable crop producers. Top wood product sources include Canada, Russia, Sweden, and the US, according to WorldsTopExports.

The US agriculture and forestry sector includes about 2 million farms and about 3,000 timber companies with combined annual revenue of nearly $500 billion.

Industry Forecast

Revenue (in current dollars) for US agriculture and forestry production is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4% between 2023 and 2028, based on changes in physical volume and unit prices.

Logging workers earn about the same as the national average. Injuries are commonly due to hazards associated with overexertion and operating heavy equipment and is about the same as the national average.

CINCINNATI, – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced its Family of Companies are seeking to hire more than 25,000 associates as it readies for the holiday season and beyond. Candidates are invited to explore rewarding roles across the business, from front end clerks, baggers and deli bakery clerks to pharmacy technicians, Kroger delivery drivers and more.

“As we gear up for a memorable and festive holiday season for our customers, we are seeking to hire new associates excited to deliver exceptional service and demonstrate our core values, both for the season and their career,” said Tim Massa, senior vice president and chief people officer. “We are committed to offering all associates a culture of opportunity, growth and a career with purpose. While many may join our team in pursuit of a job, we are so inspired to see every associate discover a fulfilling career.”

The Kroger Co., recognized for its industry-leading benefits, culture and commitment to creating a workplace that respects and values every community, has been named a top place to work by the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN™, was honored by Handshake for excellence in early career hiring, named a best workplace for diverse professionals by Mogul, earned recognition from Newsweek as One of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and ranked among Computerworld’s Top 100 best places to work in IT.

The Kroger Family of Companies offers resources, benefits and training, to support and develop associates:

Wages & Benefits: Kroger provides comprehensive compensation packages, including competitive salaries and wages, healthcare and retirement.
Continued Education & Tuition Reimbursement: Kroger offers tuition reimbursement program, offering up to $21,000 for both part-time and full-time associates, covers GED courses to Ph.D. programs. Since its inception, this program has contributed more than $53.9 million to empower associates at the Kroger Family of Companies further their education with 86% of the recipients being hourly associates.
Training & Development: Kroger offers on-demand, role-specific training and resources through internal channels and modern learning platforms, as well as leadership, career advancement and diversity, equity and inclusion training.
Health & Wellness: Kroger continues to support associates’ safety, health and well-being. Associates have access to resources like The Well-Being Assistant powered by Magellan Health that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers free counseling sessions, and BetterHelp virtual counseling.
Financial Wellness: Kroger offers free financial counseling through the Goldman Sachs Ayco tool, giving associates access to coaches as well as online tools and resources to create a savings plan, learn how to avoid common financial pitfalls and explore opportunities to maximize all available company benefits.
Perks & Discounts: Kroger provides flexible scheduling, discounts on groceries, electronics, streaming services, travel and more.
Those seeking a fresh opportunity are invited to apply using the mobile-friendly candidate experience, which makes it easier than ever to find the perfect role, seamlessly apply using profile import capabilities from LinkedIn or Indeed and join our team – quickly. Visit krogerfamilycareers.com to learn more about pursuing a career at Kroger.

About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies nearly 420,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-family-of-companies-invites-prospective-associates-to-come-for-the-holidays-and-discover-a-career-302275287.html

PURCHASE, N.Y. and AUSTIN, Texas, – PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP) (“PepsiCo”) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Garza Food Ventures LLC, dba Siete Foods (“Siete”) for $1.2 billion.

The acquisition will complement PepsiCo’s portfolio with the addition of an authentic, Mexican-American brand, while also growing its better-for-you food offerings. Siete products will bring a rich, new aspect to the PepsiCo multicultural portfolio with delicious food that plays an important role in meal occasions and culinary experiences.

Founded in 2014, Siete produces authentic heritage-inspired tortillas, salsas, seasonings, sauces, cookies, snacks and more. Siete’s products can be found in grocery stores, club stores, and organic food retailers primarily across the U.S.

“The Garza family has built a very special brand. Their passion for making and sharing food shines through in every Siete product, and that’s a passion we share at PepsiCo,” said Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. “PepsiCo believes in the spirit and authenticity of the Siete brand, and we’re excited to carry on the legacy created by the Garza family. We look forward to expanding our multicultural portfolio with these incredible products and even more consumers discovering and enjoying Siete.”

“Siete was created ten years ago to make heritage-inspired, Mexican-American food more widely available. Now we’re excited to embrace a new era with PepsiCo and bring our inclusive, better-for-you products to more people,” said Miguel Garza, CEO and Co-Founder of Siete Foods. “We hope this next chapter for Siete serves as inspiration for other Latino businesses, showing that it’s possible to build a thriving brand that honors our heritage and celebrates our culture.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, and is expected to close in the first half of 2025. Additional terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Centerview Partners LLC acted as lead financial advisor to PepsiCo. Citi also served as financial advisor. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is acting as legal advisor to PepsiCo. Lazard is acting as financial advisor to Siete and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, as well as Armbrust & Brown, PLLC are acting as legal advisors to Siete.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.PepsiCo.com.

About Siete Family Foods
Siete Foods is on a mission to inspire inclusivity around the table by sharing delicious heritage-inspired Mexican-American foods for a variety of dietary needs and preferences. Founded in 2014 in Austin, TX, Siete brought all seven (siete) members of the Garza family together on their journey to health. Siete’s products span meals and macro snacks categories, including Grain Free Tortillas, Enchilada Sauces, Taco Seasonings, Botana Sauces, Mexican Cookies, Vegan Beans, Grain Free Puffs, and Salsas, available across 40,000 retailers, as well as online at sietefoods.com. Join the family @sietefoods on Facebook and Instagram.

ROLLE—ADM (NYSE: ADM) announced a new logistics initiative with the deployment of Voltloader electric tractor units for the direct delivery of flour from ADM’s processing facility in Corby, Northamptonshire, to Jacksons Bakery, in Corby.

ADM first introduced the use of Voltloader trucks in April 2024. The programme aimed to help decrease the carbon footprint linked to transporting wheat from ADM’s farmer customers to its milling locations, aligning with ADM’s goal to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2035.

Based on the success of the first phase, ADM and Voltloader are now deploying the tractor electric units, which produce zero emissions during operation, from mill to customer, helping to further reduce carbon footprint. ADM has already successfully delivered two trailer loads, each carrying 23 tons of flour, to Jacksons Bakery as part of a trial.

“We are thrilled to launch this new initiative with Voltloader for our flour deliveries to Jacksons Bakery in Corby,” said Ashley Fuller, commercial director, ADM Milling UK. “ADM possesses distinctive capabilities to reduce the carbon footprint throughout the entire food and agriculture value chain, spanning from farm to customer. Whether through initiatives such as our UK regenerative agriculture program, or our work to improve the efficiency and environmental footprint of our own processing facilities, or innovative initiatives like this one with Voltloader, we are advancing our work to enhance operational efficiency and reliability while helping customers meet their sustainability needs.”

Richard Clarke, Jackson’s Bakery Procurement and Sustainability Director, added, “The introduction of Voltloader vehicles is an exciting development for us. Not only does it align with our sustainability goals, but it also ensures that we receive the highest quality flour more efficiently. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on our products and our carbon footprint.”

Dave Rose, Founder and CEO at Voltloader commented, “We are excited to be working with industry leaders like ADM and Jacksons Bakery to demonstrate our service can span multiple legs of the supply chain, creating even further efficiencies. This partnership is a testament to the effectiveness and reliability of our technology in real-world applications. We believe this initiative marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly logistics industry.”

About ADM
ADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We’re an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. We’re a premier human and animal nutrition provider, offering one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of ingredients and solutions from nature. We’re a trailblazer in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of products for consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. We’re a cutting-edge innovator, guiding the way to a future of new consumer and industrial solutions. And we’re a leader in sustainability, scaling across entire value chains to help decarbonize the multiple industries we serve. Around the globe, our innovation and expertise are meeting critical needs while nourishing quality of life and supporting a healthier planet. Learn more at www.adm.com.

About Voltloader
Voltloader is an electric bulk haulage and HGV charging provider based in Cambridgeshire. They use Volvo FM Electric 4×2 tractor units, each equipped with a substantial 540kWh battery capacity. To optimize payload capacity, these tractors are utilised in conjunction with Weightlifter tipping trailers.

Voltloader’s mission is to assist its customers in managing the relatively high initial capital costs associated with transitioning to electric vehicles, while enabling long term benefits like emissions reduction and cost savings. The company is also pioneering the concept of long-term price stability for its customers by anchoring its pricing with extended fixed-price electricity contracts.

About Jacksons Bakery
Jackson’s Bakery is part of the William Jackson Food Group. From small beginnings with a grocery shop in Yorkshire in 1851, to baking delicious bread from 1907, we are now a sixth-generation family business, delivering our great bread to customers nationwide.

16 July 2024, Brussels – Oslo: PepsiCo Europe and Yara announced today a long-term partnership in Europe aimed at providing farmers with crop nutrition programs to help decarbonize the food value chain. 

As part of the partnership, which spans multiple countries, participating PepsiCo Europe farmers will be equipped with best-in-class crop nutrition products and advice as well as precision farming digital tools. This will allow them to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE), boost yields and reduce the carbon footprint of their crops. Yara, the leading crop nutrition company in Europe, will supply PepsiCo with the products and services.

Yara will deliver up to 165,000 tons of fertilizer per year to PepsiCo, covering around 25% of their crop fertilizer needs in Europe by 2030. These fertilizers will be mostly Yara Climate Choice fertilizers, which include low-carbon footprint fertilizers produced from either renewable ammonia (Herøya, Norway) or low-carbon ammonia via carbon capture and storage (CCS), currently under construction in Yara Sluiskil. The mix will also include Yara’s standard premium nitrate-based mineral fertilizers produced using natural gas, which have a carbon footprint that is around 50% lower than most non-EU fertilizers thanks to the use of catalyst technology. The aim of the partnership is to upgrade to Yara Climate Choice fertilizers over time as production scales up and technologies mature so that all of the 165,000 p.a. tons are Yara Climate Choice fertilizers by 2030. 

The collaboration underlines the companies’ shared commitment to building a more sustainable food system in line with the European Union’s climate targets. At the same time, it will support farmers through transition costs to ensure their livelihoods are not adversely impacted. 

“This partnership with Yara aligns with our end-to-end transformation known as PepsiCo Positive (pep+) and will be critical as we transition towards the net-zero food system of the future. Targeting Scope 3 emissions is central to our pep+ agenda, but it can be one of the most challenging areas to directly influence. Providing our farmers with fertilizers that have a lower carbon footprint and supporting them to improve crop nutrition end-to-end will allow us to make a significant step towards our target of achieving net zero by 2040,” said Archana Jagannathan, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo Europe. 

The collaboration is also in line with Yara’s mission to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. 

“To grow a nature-positive food future and transform our food system, we need to collaborate across the food value chain. We’re excited to work with first movers like PepsiCo to help make this a reality. Decarbonizing food production will be critical to delivering on the Paris Agreement – and farmers will play a key role in helping us get there,” said Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Executive Vice President for Europe at Yara. 

The partnership, which will help drive the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, will include approximately 1,000 farms, covering a total of around 128,000 hectares across the European Union and the UK. Efforts will initially focus on potatoes, a key crop for PepsiCo, and then expand to other crops such as oats and corn.  

Fertilizers are the biggest opportunity to reduce emissions as fertilizer production and in-field emissions account for half of PepsiCo’s average potato carbon footprint in Europe.*

This partnership will also further scale up sustainable nutrient management practices across the PepsiCo farmer groups. This will include full season crop and soil data capture and monitoring using PepsiCo’s CropTrak and ML Analytics tool, and will be complemented by Yara’s digital solutions offering, for example digital satellite imagery via the AtFarm platform and the MegaLab soil analysis.  

ENDS

*29 percent is related to fertilizer production emissions and 25 percent to fertilizer in-field emissions. The partnership will support the 24 percentage point reduction target in production emissions and the 5 percentage point reduction target for in-field emission while maintaining crop quality and yields.

PepsiCo media contact: 
Felix Zadek-Ewing
pepsicoeurope@headlandconsultancy.com
0 (+44) 7725 580 928 

Yara media contact: 
Annalisa Canova
annalisa.canova@yara.com
+32 477653309 

About PepsiCo 
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complimentary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.  

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for the planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.  

About Yara 
Yara’s mission is to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. We pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth through reducing emissions from crop nutrition production and developing low-emission energy solutions. Yara’s ambition is focused on growing a nature-positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain. 

To drive the green shift in fertilizer production, shipping, and other energy intensive industries, Yara will produce ammonia with significantly lower emissions. We provide digital tools for precision farming and work closely with partners at all levels of the food value chain to share knowledge and promote more efficient and sustainable solutions. 

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry’s only global crop nutrition company. With 18,000 employees and operations in more than 60 countries, sustainability is an integral part of our business model. In 2023, Yara reported revenues of USD 15.5 billion. For more information, visit www.yara.com. 

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding a record-breaking $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. These investments will help 1.9 million children eat more tasty, nutritious foods in school, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities.

“Farm to School is a huge win for children, schools, farmers, producers and communities,” said Secretary Vilsack. “When schools have access to fresh, local food options with homegrown flavor, they can serve delicious, healthy dishes that kids are excited to eat, while also supporting the local economy. These grants continue our work to address both food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, ensuring that we’re not only feeding kids, we’re feeding them well.”

This investment in the Farm to School Program supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to end hunger and increase healthy eating by year 2030.

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program helps child nutrition program operators incorporate local foods into meals served through USDA’s National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids.

Farm to school opens opportunities for children to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands-on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The program can also provide a pathway for more children to achieve nutrition security, which is the consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe and affordable food.

USDA continues to show its commitment to equity by reaching historically underserved and marginalized communities through this year’s farm to school grants:

Fifty-four percent of students served by these projects are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
More than one-third (35%) of awarded projects serve rural areas.
Members of communities of color lead 40 percent of the awarded organizations, all with projects serving those same communities.
Eight projects are led by and serve American Indian or Alaska Native communities.
Producers can receive the grants for their farm to school projects, too. Three agricultural producers are among this year’s grantees.

More than 67,000 schools currently participate in farm to school. More information about the impact of these grants across the country is available on the Farm to School website.

In addition to grantmaking, USDA recently finalized regulations that encourage more schools to purchase their foods from local producers. Schools now have the option to require unprocessed agricultural products to be locally grown, raised, or caught when making purchases for school meal programs, making it easier for schools to buy local foods. More information about these new options is available on the Procuring Local Foods webpage.

“Kids learn how to eat; it’s not programmed in them,” said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long. “What they’re exposed to at a young age makes a real difference. When we support children in establishing good eating habits, we’re setting them up to reach their full potential.”

Since the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program’s inception in 2013, the Department has awarded more than $98 million in Farm to School Grants, funding more than 1,200 projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico. These projects have reached more than 28 million students. For more information on how your community can get involved with Farm to School activities, please visit the FNS website.

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program is one of many ways that USDA supports states and school nutrition professionals to provide kids with nutritious school meals that support their health and well-being. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, USDA has provided nearly $13.7 billion in financial support to schools across the country since January 2021. This support includes a recent award of $10 million in grants through USDA partners – Full Plates Full Potential and the Illinois Public Health Institute – to support innovation in the school meals marketplace in Northeast and Midwest regions of the country by incentivizing collaboration between schools, the food industry, and other stakeholders, as part of the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative. The initiative empowers schools to serve delicious and nutritious meals through a series of investments supporting both schools and the school meal supply chain.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

ARLINGTON, VA – This week, CropLife America (CLA) sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressing the Office of Pesticide Program’s April 2024 Update on the Agency’s Draft Herbicide Strategy. This update is part of EPA’s framework to meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). CLA’s letter lauds the Agency’s issuance of the Draft Herbicide Strategy and the extent to which it reflects significant input from interested stakeholders. Additionally, the letter offers recommendations on how the Draft Herbicide Strategy can be successfully finalized and implemented.

CLA emphasizes the necessity of pesticide use with the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats, urging EPA to take realistic farming practices into consideration. Measures such as updating spray drift calculations for modern agricultural processes to add realism to application assumptions through geo-spatial information, crop layer, and usage data will help ensure EPA’s proposed mitigations are realistic and protect intended species as well as allow farmers to do their jobs.

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on measures that will impact the entire agricultural community. Understanding the needs and demands of our nation’s growers is imperative to the success of the ESA, and EPA continuing to provide opportunities for stakeholder feedback is vital. Any mitigations put in place will only work if real-world implications of how we farm are considered,” said Alexandra Dunn, CLA president and CEO. “Our comments are aimed at helping ensure that the EPA’s plan is both practical and scientifically sound.”

Other key topics addressed in the letter include:

Overly conservative assumptions will drive unworkable mitigations with no environmental benefit for listed species when making refinements to the risk assessment.

Greater flexibility for growers and applicators with recognition of ongoing conditions and practices through the geography and topography of their farms, their compliance with state or local regulation, best practices or conservation programs, etc.

Clarity and certainty to maintain efficiency and timeliness for new product registrations.

Expanded public engagement to help identify issues and solutions that will aid in successful implementation of the EPA ESA Workplan.

CLA looks forward to continuing to work with EPA and other stakeholders as there are developments. EPA’s Herbicide Strategy is expected to be released to the public at the end of August 2024.

CAMDEN, N.J.– Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) today announced plans as part of an ongoing effort to invest in and transform its supply chain to fuel business growth, improve return on invested capital, and enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of its manufacturing and distribution network.

These actions are another significant step in transforming Campbell’s supply chain into a competitive advantage. The company is investing in its best-in-class manufacturing sites, leveraging its network of leading co-manufacturing partners, and closing inefficient sites and shifting production to more modern and effective plants.

“To fuel growth and transform our manufacturing and distribution network, we must invest and further strengthen our supply chain,” said Dan Poland, Campbell’s Chief Supply Chain Officer. “By leveraging our best-in-class in-house capabilities combined with the expertise of trusted manufacturing partners, we will continue to make the highest quality products, with a more agile, flexible, and cost-effective manufacturing network. We continue to evaluate optimization opportunities across the network to build our supply chain of the future.”

Tualatin, Oregon Plant to Close
The Tualatin, Oregon plant, acquired in 2017 as part of Campbell’s purchase of Pacific Foods, produces Pacific’s organic soup, broth and plant-based beverages. The site consists of multiple leased buildings of approximately 250,000 square feet. The aging facility and inefficient nature of the site’s configuration can no longer support the increased consumer demand and continued growth of the business.

Campbell will close the facility in phases and expects to cease operations by July 2026, with the first phase to impact 120 of its 330 employees in August 2024. The company plans to move the plant’s soup and broth production to other thermal and aseptic plants in its network and shift plant-based beverage production to leading co-manufacturing partners.

Jeffersonville, Indiana Plant to Specialize in Late July
The company’s Jeffersonville, Indiana plant will specialize in Late July tortilla chips. Production of kettle potato chips will be moved to Campbell’s Charlotte and Hanover plants. The change will go into effect in July 2024 and will impact approximately 85 of the 230 employees at Jeffersonville. The plant will continue to produce regional snack brands.

In total, the closure of the Tualatin site and the changes to the Jeffersonville plant will impact 415 employees. The company will provide impacted employees with separation benefits and job placement support.

Poland said, “We recognize this is difficult news for our teams in Tualatin and Jeffersonville. Any action that impacts our people is made with careful deliberation, and we are committed to provide support and assistance during these changes.”

Investing for Growth to Add 210 New Roles
To enable the supply chain network of the future and unlock the growth of the business, the company is making capital investments of approximately $230 million through fiscal 2026 at newer, more agile facilities in its network, with approximately $80 million spent to date. These projects are expected to create approximately 210 new roles across the organization and will include new training and development programs for employees. The projects include:

Maxton, North Carolina
$150 million investment for new aseptic soup production
100 new roles
Hanover, Pennsylvania
$72 million investment to add additional potato chip kettles
72 new roles
Franklin, Wisconsin
$8 million investment to expand capacity for tortilla chips
40 new roles
In addition to these investments, the company previously announced plans to expand production of Goldfish crackers at its Richmond, Utah plant. The new line, which is expected to be operational by the end of calendar year 2024, will increase the bakery’s output of Goldfish by 50 percent and will add approximately 80 new roles at the site.

About Campbell
For more than 150 years, Campbell (NYSE:CPB) has been connecting people through food they love. Generations of consumers have trusted us to provide delicious and affordable food and beverages. Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, the company generated fiscal 2023 net sales of $9.4 billion. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Milano, Michael Angelo’s, noosa, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao’s, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8. Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the environment. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 as well as the FTSE4Good and Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indices. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com.

CHICAGO and LEMBEKE, Belgium, – Mondelēz International (Nasdaq: MDLZ) and Lotus Bakeries (Euronext: LOTB) today announced a strategic partnership to expand and grow the Lotus Biscoff® cookie brand in India, and to develop exciting new chocolate products combining the unique, caramelized, crunchy Biscoff® taste and texture with Mondelēz’s iconic Cadbury, Milka and other key chocolate brands in Europe, with the option to expand globally. This partnership provides new opportunities for both companies to accelerate their growth ambitions in the attractive cookie and chocolate categories, with potential options to expand into additional markets and/or adjacent segments.

Through this partnership, Mondelēz will leverage its extensive distribution network and local market presence to manufacture, market, distribute and sell Biscoff® cookies in India. Lotus Bakeries aims to achieve significant visibility and sales growth in this high-potential market, while Mondelēz will build upon its already strong presence in both traditional and modern trade to expand its cookie offerings into high-demand premium spaces.

In addition to growing Biscoff® in India, the two companies will work together to develop and market co-branded chocolate products in other markets. While specific formats are still in the early stages of development, the companies aim to bring new innovations to the chocolate category that will surprise and delight consumers. The first co-branded products are expected to launch in early 2025, with Cadbury and Biscoff® in the United Kingdom, as well as Milka and Biscoff® in Europe.

“We look forward to partnering with Lotus Bakeries to expand the Biscoff® brand in India, where it already has a loyal following among key consumer segments,” said Dirk Van de Put, Chair and CEO, Mondelez International. “This partnership will help accelerate our strategic focus on the cookies category by introducing a premium brand that is widely loved in numerous markets to a much wider audience. At the same time, we look forward to co-developing new, innovative chocolate flavors and formats in Europe, which will strengthen consumers’ already enduring loyalty to our two companies’ iconic brands.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with the world’s number-one cookie player, Mondelēz International, and we are grateful for their belief in our Biscoff® brand,” said Jan Boone, CEO, Lotus Bakeries. “We look forward to building on their commercial expertise and market-specific knowledge and presence in India, and we believe now is the right time to expand our distribution in this growing market. Additionally, we are excited to add our Biscoff® brand to one of the world’s leading chocolate companies. Our delicious flavors complement each other perfectly, and we’re confident that our shared commitment to innovation and quality will delight customers and consumers.”

About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

About Lotus Bakeries
Lotus Bakeries, founded in 1932, operates worldwide in the indulgent and natural snacking segment with brands including Lotus®, Biscoff®, nākd®, TREK®, BEAR®, Kiddylicious®, Peter’s Yard®, Dinosaurus®, Peijnenburg® and Annas®. Headquartered in Belgium, Lotus Bakeries is a dynamic and internationally oriented company with production facilities in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, South Africa and the United States. A third production facility for Biscoff® is currently under construction in Thailand and will be operational by 2026. It has 23 sales organizations in Europe, America, Asia and Australia. Lotus Bakeries also works with commercial partners in approximately fifty countries worldwide. Lotus Bakeries has around 3,000 employees and achieved a revenue of EUR 1,063.0 million in 2023. Lotus Bakeries is listed on Euronext Brussels and included in the indexes of STOXX Europe 600®, MSCI Developed Europe®, FTSE All-World® and BEL20®. The majority of shares are owned by the Boone and Stevens family. Visit www.lotusbakeries.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. At its first Winter & Holiday Selling Show of 2024, held at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, Conn., United Natural Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “UNFI”) unveiled a selection of new, innovative products and solutions designed to help food retailers drive growth and profitability during the upcoming winter holiday selling season.

The UNFI Mohegan event featured UNFI’s full breadth of fresh, natural, organic, and conventional products as well as its complement of retail services, technology, insights, and solutions to help community grocers of all sizes differentiate, grow, and win in their markets. (Photo: Business Wire)
The UNFI Mohegan event featured UNFI’s full breadth of fresh, natural, organic, and conventional products as well as its complement of retail services, technology, insights, and solutions to help community grocers of all sizes differentiate, grow, and win in their markets. (Photo: Business Wire)

Nearly 1,400 customers visited more than 850 exhibitors, including over 50 suppliers from the Company’s New Product and Diverse Supplier showcases, during the two-day show. The Mohegan event featured UNFI’s full breadth of fresh, natural, organic, and conventional products as well as its complement of retail services, technology, insights, and solutions to help community grocers of all sizes differentiate, grow, and win in their markets.

“We’re focused on helping our retail customers differentiate and stand out, so they can focus on building loyalty with their shoppers. With the scale, custom insights, deep partnerships, and innovative products we bring to our shows, we are uniquely positioned to help retailers of all sizes and formats provide high-quality food and unique in-store experiences to compete even more effectively,” said UNFI Chief Customer Officer, Steve Dietz.

Showcasing the New UNFI Retail Media Network

At the show, UNFI highlighted its recently launched UNFI Media Network (UMN), powered by Swiftly. During the two well attended seminars, attendees had the chance to hear from Matt Eckhouse, UNFI President of Professional Services, Usman Waheed, UNFI Chief Digital Experience Officer, and Sean Turner, Swiftly Co-founder & Chief Innovation Officer, as they presented the unique features and benefits of the UMN for both customers and suppliers. Turner also delivered a detailed walk-through demonstrating the ease of joining the UMN and how its one-of-a-kind features deliver an unparalleled experience for retailers and shoppers alike.

Commenting on the UMN after hearing about it, Paul Hoffman, VP of Purchasing and Retail Sales for Healthy Living, said, “As I was hearing about how this program works, I was asking myself, ‘this sounds too easy, where’s the catch?’ And there wasn’t one. I’m excited to learn more as this sounds like a great opportunity for Healthy Living stores.”

Highlighting Supplier Circle of Excellence Award Winners

At celebrations held Tuesday night, UNFI recognized suppliers for the first time with its inaugural Circle of Excellence awards. These awards celebrate the suppliers’ 2023 achievements in innovation, marketing, and growth through partnership. Winners were grouped by merchandising category as well as years in business, reflecting the broad and diverse landscape of UNFI’s supplier partners.

15 suppliers won across nine merchandising categories, and the following three companies were recognized with UNFI’s highest Circle of Excellence award, Supplier of the Year:

The Kraft Heinz Company – Established Supplier-of-the-Year
Certified Piedmontese Beef – Emerging Supplier-of-the-Year
Chomps – Diverse Supplier-of-the-Year
“Congratulations to all of our Supplier Circle of Excellence winners,” said Sandy Douglas, UNFI CEO. “We are grateful to partner with you in supporting our retail customers, and we look forward to continuing to be your go-to-market partner focused on helping to build brands and drive your growth.”

The next exclusive UNFI show will be the UNFI Winter & Holiday Show in Minneapolis, Minn., August 8-9. For information on UNFI Shows, customers or suppliers can visit https://www.unfishowcases.com or email events@unfi.com.

About UNFI
UNFI is North America’s premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce providers, and food service customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights, and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands. As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is Fueling the Future of Food, visit www.unfi.com.

Salisbury, N.C., – Leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA has announced a partnership with global snacking leader Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company) and North American agribusiness, Bartlett, to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wheat farming across the value chain. This collaboration aims to decrease Scope 3 emissions, improving farm and supply chain resiliency.

The pilot program, which is expected to kick off this summer, will leverage financial investments from Ahold Delhaize USA, Kellanova and Bartlett to support the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices among wheat farmers in North Carolina. The wheat harvested and milled from these farms will be used alongside conventionally grown wheat to produce Kellanova’s iconic Cheez-It® and Club® crackers. These products will be sold at the local brand stores of Ahold Delhaize USA in 2025.

“The companies of Ahold Delhaize USA are committed to offering more sustainable food products as we strive to create a healthier planet,” said JJ Fleeman, CEO, Ahold Delhaize USA. “An important step in this journey is reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions, which requires partnerships like this one with Kellanova and Bartlett. We’re excited to be a part of this collaboration as we focus on our Scope 3 commitments.”

Unique collaborative program
This is a unique program with stakeholders from across the supply chain – from field to mill to manufacturing facility to shelf – collaborating to improve the livelihood of U.S. farmers while reducing GHG emissions. This is a first of its kind program for both Ahold Delhaize USA and Kellanova.

“As part of our ambitious Kellanova Better Days Promise, we’ve committed to both reducing our emissions and advancing the well-being of people, including farmers, across our food value chain,” said Carrie Sander, Chief Customer Officer – North America, Kellanova. “We believe in the power of partnership and are excited to collaborate with Ahold Delhaize USA and Bartlett to help potentially improve outcomes for wheat farmers. This innovative program helps us simultaneously work toward both these goals.”

Regenerative agriculture focuses on soil conservation and improvement, creating a unique farming approach specific to the crop, climate and land. The process is as follows:

Farmers grow regenerative wheat in Eastern North Carolina. Bartlett’s certified crop advisors will work with these farmers, providing technical assistance for implementing conservation practices to improve soil health, which improves water quality and helps reduce emissions.
Bartlett combines the regenerative wheat with conventional wheat then mills it into flour at its recently expanded facility in Wilson’s Mills, N.C.
Kellanova bakes the wheat into Cheez-It® and Club® crackers at its state-of-the-art facility in Cary, N.C.
Ahold Delhaize USA brands to sell the crackers across their more than 2,000 local stores beginning in 2025.
“We’re excited to work with our customers and partners to improve on-farm environmental outcomes, while increasing overall sustainability across the milling and baking supply chain,” said Bob Knief, President of Bartlett, a Savage Company. “We have a strong commitment to continuous improvement and look forward to engaging with and supporting North Carolina wheat farmers in measuring and optimizing their sustainability performance.”

In addition to the regenerative wheat, a key output of this program will be agronomic insights on farm and supply chain resiliency. Arva Intelligence, whose mission is to empower farmers to grow their business, while driving a larger environmental asset economy, will use their CropForce™ platform, to measure, report, and verify impacts to the partners’ respective emissions reductions, providing scalable knowledge each company can potentially take forward into the development of other Scope 3 initiatives.

“Ninety-five percent of Ahold Delhaize USA emissions reside in Scope 3, which makes this program incredibly important,” said Marc Stolzman, Chief Sustainability Officer for Ahold Delhaize USA. “Not only will this help us on our race to Net Zero, but the data will help us to chart our future path for Scope 3 collaborations.”

The pilot will focus on farmers who have already implemented regenerative agricultural practices, enabling the cultivation of a base of farmers experienced in these practices to help teach new ones and facilitate the transition. Production is slated to begin this summer, with the final product expected to reach Ahold Delhaize USA brand shelves in 2025, with pilot learnings to quickly follow.

###

About Ahold Delhaize USA
Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, is part of the U.S. family of brands, which also includes five leading omnichannel grocery brands – Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. When considered together, the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest grocery retail group in the nation, serving millions of omnichannel customers each week. For more information, visit www.adusa.com.

About Kellanova
Kellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg’s ® Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, Special K®, Coco Pops®, and more, Kellanova’s vision is to become the world’s best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our net sales for 2023 were $13 billion.

At Kellanova, our purpose is to create better days and ensure everyone has a seat at the table through our trusted food brands. We are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable food access by tackling the crossroads of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing, and equity, diversity & inclusion. Our goal is to create Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from a 2015 baseline). For more detailed information about our commitments, our approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit our website at https://www.kellanova.com.

About Bartlett
Established in 1907, Bartlett joined the Savage family of companies in 2018. Its diverse agribusiness is focused on the acquisition, storage, transportation, processing, and merchandising of grain. The company is a leading U.S. exporter of grain to Mexico. Bartlett produces a broad range of flour to meet its Customers’ needs and plays an important and growing role in the food and renewable fuel sector with its soybean processing capability. For more information, visit www.bartlettco.com.

About Arva Intelligence
Arva Intelligence is a Houston-based B-corporation powering agronomic optimization and environmental market solutions. Arva leverages field data to improve yield, lower cost, reduce risk, and maximize the value between environmental stewardship and economic profit. By providing a clear pathway for the supply and demand sides of the carbon and sustainability markets to interact, engage, and transact, Arva is uniquely positioned to facilitate agriculture’s massive role in the global journey to profitable sustainability. For more information, visit www.arvaintelligence.com.

ATLANTA, June 17, 2024 – The Coca‑Cola Company announced today that Arnab Roy has been named president of the Coca‑Cola global category. Roy is a Coca‑Cola veteran who joined the company in 2001 and has most recently served as vice president of marketing for the India & Southwest Asia operating unit.

Roy will succeed Selman Careaga, who began a new role June 1 as president of the company’s ASEAN & South Pacific operating unit. Roy will begin his new duties Sept. 1, reporting to Manolo Arroyo, executive vice president and global chief marketing officer.

“Arnab comes to this new role with a strong track record in building teams and leading marketers across multiple geographies and cultures,” Arroyo said. “He has driven results throughout his career, especially in his most recent role in India.”

As the head of marketing for the India & Southwest Asia operating unit since 2021, Roy helped drive consistent double-digit growth for the overall business and consolidated share leadership in the sparkling and juice categories. Roy also helped drive the company’s overall marketing transformation, in close partnership with WPP OpenX.

Roy served as Global Vice President for Trademark Coca‑Cola from 2018 to 2020, where he delivered plans to accelerate the growth of Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar across the company’s Top 40 markets.

Prior to that, Roy was Senior Director, Sparkling Beverages, for the former ASEAN business unit from 2014 to 2018. He led the sparkling business across more than a dozen countries, including Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

As Director of Global Sports and Entertainment from 2010 to 2014, Roy led the integrated marketing program for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Roy joined the company in 2001 as a management trainee. Over the subsequent decade, Roy held multiple roles across sales, brand marketing, media and innovation in India. He led the launch of Minute Maid, the expansion of Maaza and led the revival of the Coca‑Cola brand in the country.

Roy received his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in 2001 and an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School in 2017.

In his new role, Roy will be based in Atlanta.

About The Coca‑Cola Company

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

HOUSTON, – Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), the world’s largest foodservice distributor, hosted its 2024 Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to present an update on the company’s growth strategy and highlight initiatives that improve how the company serves its customers while delivering consistent financial performance.

Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and CEO, and other senior executives discussed how the company is driving core business performance through local case growth, and leveraging the scale of its merchandising and supply chain capabilities. In addition, Sysco shared the evolution of the company’s ‘Recipe for Growth’ strategy which initially launched three years ago to drive market growth through five pillars: Digital, Products and Solutions, Supply Chain, Customer Teams and Future Horizons.

“Today we outlined plans to improve core performance and advance our Recipe for Growth initiatives, helping fuel consistent growth as the leader in the large and growing food-away-from-home market,” said Hourican. “These plans include financial growth targets with significant top and bottom-line growth over the next three years to create sustainable long-term value for Sysco stakeholders. No one else can match the breadth and depth of our product range, nor our ability to meet customers’ needs through our portfolio of specialty companies, our international market growth and our investments in salesforce and supply chain.”

Sysco also provided a comprehensive financial outlook for the next three fiscal years based on the company’s new growth algorithm which focuses on delivering sustainable growth, operational excellence and balanced capital return, including:

Sales growth of 4-6% per year through both organic and inorganic initiatives;
Adjusted operating income growth of 6-8% per year which includes positive operating leverage;
Adjusted earnings per share growth of 6-8% per year; and
Total return to shareholders of 9-11% per year through a growing dividend.
“Sysco’s growth algorithm was built upon a balanced approach to capital allocation –maintaining our investment grade balance sheet and returning value to our shareholders all while investing in the business for the long-term,” said Kenny Cheung, Sysco executive vice president and chief financial officer. “These factors, combined with our actions to drive performance in the core of our business, will further position Sysco to deliver compelling financial results.”

Sysco also used its Investor Day to discuss how it plans to accelerate independent market share growth through Total Team Selling, which brings specialists and sales teams from Broadline and Specialty businesses together. “Our teams are collaborating, learning about each other’s capabilities and offering customer-focused solutions to win share,” said Hourican. He continued, “We’re also leveraging our global footprint to fuel local growth internationally. Our efforts include scaling merchandising strategies, including deeper penetration of Sysco Brand products, as well as customer-focused programs, like Sysco Your Way, which provide customers the flexibility they need to grow.”

The company also announced at the event the launch of Sysco Marketplace, a new offering that enables third-party suppliers to sell products on Sysco’s digital shopping platform, Shop, and ship products directly to Sysco customers.

“Through Marketplace, we’re able to streamline the shopping experience with a one-stop-shop solution that gives our customers access to over 15,000 niche products such as grocery, canned, and dry categories to help enhance their menus,” says Neil Russell, Sysco Chief Administrative Officer. “Marketplace complements our Broadline and Specialty offerings to fully serve our customers’ needs and enables us to support smaller suppliers so we can use our scale for good.”

About Sysco
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 74,000 colleagues, the company operates 334 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 725,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2023 that ended July 1, 2023, the company generated sales of more than $76 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

CHICAGO—ADM (NYSE: ADM), a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, today announced the European launch of seven turnkey pet product formulas for a market that increasingly prioritizes the holistic health of pets. Offered in soft chews and supplement powder sachet formats, these functional formulas feature highly sought-after wellness claims that are science-backed and compliant with European regulations, providing consumers with trusted options to support their pets’ wellness journey.

According to recent ADM Outside Voice℠ consumer research, 85% of global pet parents agreed that proper nutrition and supplements are as important for their pets as they are for themselves1. This proactive approach to pet care presents enormous opportunity for brands, as the pet health and supplement category in the UK is estimated to grow by a CAGR of 8.6% through 20262. Notably, functional treats for dogs and cats in the UK market each have a forecasted CAGR of over 12% through 20262, and pet supplements are also predicted to show steady growth in the same period2.

“As individuals prioritize healthy lifestyles, there’s a growing trend among pet owners to extend this same care to their beloved companion animals,” said Jorge Martínez, President of Pet Nutrition, ADM. “Our research finds that over half of European pet parents would be willing to pay more for treats with benefits than for treats that don’t have a supplementary ingredient.”

Active ingredients that are popular among humans can also be effective for their pets, and microbiome solutions are increasingly in demand as more consumers make the connection between gut health and other aspects of well-being. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics may support a healthy gastrointestinal environment, as well as the skin and oral microbiomes.

Mark Lotsch, ADM’s President of Global Health & Wellness, said, “New product innovation harnesses the power of biotics to support pet health from within. It’s wise for pet brands to formulate with microbial strains that have been clinically studied and AAFCO-approved as safe for dogs and cats. ADM’s microbiome solutions are backed by rigorous scientific evidence, fostering trust in our products with manufacturers, pet owners, veterinarians and specialized retailers.”

Functional treats are widely used to deliver a guilt-free reward with the added advantage of wellness benefits, and pet supplements provide wellness support without extra calories. Unlike many others in the industry, ADM produces soft chews using cold extrusion, which maintains the texture, flavor and benefits of active ingredients like probiotics throughout shelf life. Leveraging ADM’s large portfolio of ingredients, formulation expertise, end-to-end support and ongoing clinical research, its new soft chew and supplement solutions follow seven functional formulas to support different areas of pet well-being.

• Calming: Supports balanced behaviour with a blend of postbiotics, L-tryptophan, Vitamin B, magnesium and chamomile.
• Dental: Supports oral health with a proprietary postbiotic strain as well as inactivated yeast, botanicals, vitamin C and calcium.
• Digestion: Supports gut health through botanicals, biotic solutions and inactivated yeast.
• Longevity: Supports well-being of aging dogs through pre-, pro- and postbiotics, inactivated yeast, botanicals and vitamin E.
• Mobility: Supports joint health with chondroitin, MSM, glucosamine, curcumin, vitamin E and postbiotics.
• Skin: Supports healthy skin and coat using pre- and postbiotics, vitamin E, omega-3s and hyaluronic acid.
• Wellness: Supports daily well-being using a mix of biotic solutions, botanicals, vitamins, minerals and yeast products.

Many pet parents show a willingness to spend money on preventative care as an investment in their pet’s health. Pet brands can develop innovative solutions that cater to this demand by offering functional soft chews and supplements to support pet health with scientifically backed benefits. Retail brands that quickly deliver on evolving pet owner expectations will be able to take advantage of an emerging product category with extensive development potential.

ADM’s range of turnkey solutions for pet wellness are now available in the EU and the UK. To learn more about the research and opportunities for functional pet products, download the new report here or contact petnutrition@adm.com.

References
1ADM Outside Voice℠
2Euromonitor Consulting

About ADM
ADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We’re an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. We’re a premier human and animal nutrition provider, offering one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of ingredients and solutions from nature. We’re a trailblazer in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of products for consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. We’re a cutting-edge innovator, guiding the way to a future of new consumer and industrial solutions. And we’re a leader in sustainability, scaling across entire value chains to help decarbonize the multiple industries we serve. Around the globe, our innovation and expertise are meeting critical needs while nourishing quality of life and supporting a healthier planet. Learn more at www.adm.com.

CHEROKEE, North Carolina, June 5, 2024 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a series of actions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Biden-Harris Administration to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and fulfill long-standing Tribal requests for USDA to better partner with Tribal Nations, and make our overall food system more resilient.

Today’s announcements include over $42 million for awardees under the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program, $18 million for projects under the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and $2.3 million to support the service of Indigenous foods in school meal programs. Secretary Vilsack also announced that USDA has welcomed a class of interns specifically focused on Tribal agriculture and food sovereignty, and he noted that later this month USDA will sponsor its first-ever international trade mission focused on Tribal Nation and Native Hawaiian Community businesses, products and priorities.

“USDA has worked hand-in-hand with Tribal Nations to ensure our programs incorporate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. As part of our commitment to Tribes, we are making good on our promises and investing in projects that advance food sovereignty and self-determination for Tribal Nations,” Secretary Vilsack said. “These investments create economic opportunities in Tribal communities, enhance co-stewardship of precious forests and grasslands, and ensure Indigenous foods are available to Tribal students participating in school meal programs, all while furthering USDA’s goal of creating a more resilient food system.”

Secretary Vilsack made these announcements in Cherokee, North Carolina at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2024 Mid Year Convention and Marketplace, where he reaffirmed USDA’s commitment to Tribal self-governance and self-determination.

Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grants

USDA is awarding $42.5 million in grants to eight Tribal Nations through Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grants. Funding will help expand processing opportunities using modern and traditional harvesting methods for animals that are native to North America like bison, reindeer and salmon. Grants will benefit Tribes in Alaska, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. Examples of Tribes receiving funding are:

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in Cherokee, North Carolina is receiving a $6.5 million grant to build a center to process animals its members raise and hunt, including cattle, hog, goat, sheep, deer, bear, elk, beaver, boar, rabbit and groundhog. The new facility will allow the EBCI to create a Tribally owned brand of fish and meat that include rainbow trout and bison. Portions of the meat will be donated and distributed to community members in need, as well as schools, hospitals and other organizations.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township in Princeton, Maine will use a $4.3 million grant to build an aquaculture facility and use new technology to grow North American eel. The Tribe will process the eel into a Japanese delicacy known as kabayaki, filet and other food products. This project will create jobs for the Tribe and economic opportunities for hundreds of harvesters.
The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska in Niobrara, Nebraska will use a $4.8 million grant to build a facility to harvest, process, manufacture and store buffalo meat which the Tribe will distribute to community members in need and across the U.S. The project will allow the Tribe to sustainably harvest buffalo, according to their traditions.
In 2023, USDA partnered with Oweesta Corp., a Native Community Development Financial Institution, to provide grants under the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grants. Oweesta Corp. is selecting the grantees under the program.

USDA designed the program to support priorities voiced by Tribal Nations during consultations held over two years. The program reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to work in partnership with Tribal Nations to advance prosperity and dignity for all Native peoples. It also supports the Administration’s priority to build a fairer, more competitive and more resilient food system by supporting local farms and businesses.

Tribal Forest Protection Act

Thanks to funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, USDA’s Forest Service is investing $18 million in 23 projects that support the Tribal Forest Protection Act. Projects are focused on hazardous fuels risk reduction, including prescribed and use of fire, to help make reservations and communities safer and watershed restoration to provide clean drinking water. Implementation of projects will also focus on incorporating Indigenous knowledge to support long-term use of the land in a sustainable way. These efforts advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Federally Recognized Tribes are also identified as disadvantaged, regardless of whether or not they have land.

Examples of funded projects include:

The Keex’Kwaan Community Forest Partnership is a landscape scale, multi-stakeholder, community forest approach to plan and implement projects to restore and promote forest access, healthy habitats, climate resilience, food security, and local economic diversification. This funding will support cooperative work between Organized Village of Kake and Forest Service that has been identified by Keex’Kwaan Community Forest Partnership on Kuiu Island, and will create jobs, restore and promote resilient ecosystems, provide food security, and strengthen relations by working together on shared interests.
Rio Chama Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program and Watershed Restoration will work with Tribal forest crews in the Santa Fe, Carson, San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. The funding will support capacity to expand fuels, watershed, and reforestation programs on forest lands to improve the health and resiliency of natural resources.
The Lac Vieux Desert Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa in collaboration with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are working to address lake water quality, habitat, access, food sovereignty and preservation of Tribal culture. This project will improve wild rice habitat to support Tribal food sovereignty by replacing road stream crossing on the Wisconsin River.
The Tribal Forest Protection Act projects help the Forest Service and Tribes work together through co-stewardship, restoring traditionally significant plants, reducing hazardous fuels and protecting Tribal lands and communities while incorporating Indigenous knowledge, creating job opportunities for Tribal crews and increasing youth engagement. These projects recognize the unique, shared responsibility in ensuring decisions related to federal stewardship of lands, waters and wildlife consider the treaty rights and spiritual, subsistence and the cultural interests of American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Nations.

Indigenous Foods in School Meal Programs

USDA will award a total of $2.3 million in grants to five organizations to support child nutrition programs serving more Indigenous foods to Tribal communities. As part of USDA’s commitment to expanding the use of traditional Indigenous foods in school meals and other child nutrition programs, these grants were awarded across the country to maximize the number of Tribal communities being served. Examples include:

As part of the Wind River Food Sovereignty project, the Center for Popular Research, Education and Policy (C-PREP) will support four school districts on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. Through training and technical assistance for school nutrition and other school staff, youth will have increased access to traditional Indigenous foods of their cultures and region and will learn about Indigenous foods across North America.
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement actively engages in the preservation and enhancement of Indigenous food systems. They will expand their efforts to school districts by providing training and technical assistance to native food producers, vendors, and school nutrition staff to expand the use of traditional Indigenous foods and nutrition education for students in eight charter schools across six Hawaiian Islands.
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Fond du Lac Ojibwa School will educate school nutrition staff in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan on food sovereignty and Indigenous food procurement and preparation. Federally Recognized Tribes throughout Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin will be served through this project.
With the expansion of their Indigenous Food Lab, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) will benefit 11 sovereign nations within Minnesota and neighboring states, as well as school districts in Minnesota and parts of neighboring states, facilitating access to and utilization of Indigenous foods.
A number of Federally Recognized Tribes will benefit from the Powhatan Confederacy’s expertise in procuring and preparing foods for Indigenous Peoples Feasts, which will be applied to school districts in Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Virginia.
The organizations awarded are led and primarily staffed by members of the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians. The funds will be used to support culturally relevant nutrition education and the use of traditional Indigenous foods in school and summer meals and snacks. For more information about the awardees, please visit this FNS webpage.

This funding is part of a suite of resources that USDA released to support the use of traditional Indigenous foods in the child nutrition programs. These resources are available online through the Serving Traditional Indigenous Foods in the Child Nutrition Programs webpage.

USDA 2024 Class of Tribal Policy Interns

This summer, USDA is launching a historic new program welcoming interns to learn about Tribal agriculture and Tribal food sovereignty. Through the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, 14 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students will work on USDA agriculture, food, and nutrition programs that benefit Indian Country.

Sponsored by USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations, the program seeks to develop a new generation of agricultural professionals with a better understanding of Tribal food and agriculture issues. During their summer internships, the Future Leaders interns will learn about USDA support of bison conservation, Indigenous foods in youth nutrition programs, Tribal community and economic development, Tribal college community outreach, and much more. At the Office of Tribal Relations, they will support the ongoing review of USDA policies and program authorities to see where USDA can continue to remove barriers to service in Indian Country.

Participants include Native and non-Native students who are pursuing a wide range of degrees, including law, public policy, economics, environmental sciences, sustainable agriculture, public health, nutrition, and food sovereignty. Students hail from Tribal colleges and universities and other higher education institutions. During the summer, they will participate in professional development sessions and orientation and networking events.

The Future Leaders program is part of USDA’s commitment to improve equity and access, eliminate barriers to its programs for underserved individuals and communities, and build a workforce more representative of America.

First-Ever Trade Mission on Indigenous and Tribal Nation Products

From June 17-20, USDA will conduct the first agribusiness trade mission showcasing Tribal and Native Hawaiian products to prospective buyers in Canada, one of the top markets for U.S. agricultural exports. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead the historic mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, and will be joined by 15 Tribal agribusinesses and 13 Tribal Nation agricultural leaders.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

CINCINNATI, May 30, 2024 — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced its inclusion among the 2024 Axios Harris Poll 100, an annual ranking of the reputations of the most visible companies in the U.S.

The Kroger Co. Logo (PRNewsfoto/The Kroger Co.)

“I am incredibly proud of our outstanding associates whose unfailing dedication to serving communities across America with honesty, integrity and respect earned this designation,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “Providing our customers with the food they need to thrive is more than a mission; it is a responsibility to keep prices low and help families put fresh, affordable food on their tables every day. We do not take for granted the trust placed in us to feed America.”

The Axios Harris Poll is a trusted ranking of the reputations of companies most on the minds of Americans, with a framework used by Harris since 1999. Through the survey, respondents evaluate reputations against key dimensions such as ethics, trust, vision and products and services. Kroger has regularly received high marks on the survey, consistently ranking among America’s most visible and trusted companies.

Kroger is committed to supporting healthy, thriving communities through its signature Zero Hunger | Zero Waste impact plan. Since launching its impact plan in 2017, the retailer has provided $1.5 billion to support hunger relief, which includes 696 million pounds of surplus fresh food rescued, totaling more than 3.4 billion meals directed to communities. To learn more about Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste progress visit here.

“Kroger’s continual ranking on the Axios Harris Poll 100 is a testament to the company’s relentless commitment to do more good for more communities by expanding access to fresh, affordable food for customers and job and career opportunities for associates,” said Keith Dailey Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs. “This survey underscores Kroger’s role in making meaningful, positive impact in our communities every day.”

Kroger’s proposed merger with Albertsons Companies, Inc, will provide even more meaningful and measurable benefits to associates, customers and communities. The combined company will deliver lower prices and more choices for customers, provide stable and fulfilling employment for associates from every walk of life, and provide more support to create thriving, healthy communities.

Kroger, recognized for its industry-leading benefits, culture and commitment to creating a workplace that respects and values every community, has been named a top place to work by the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN™, was honored by Handshake for excellence in early career hiring, named a best workplace for diverse professionals by Mogul, earned recognition from Newsweek as One of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and ranked among Computerworld’s Top 100 best places to work in IT.

About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axios-harris-poll-names-kroger-one-of-americas-most-visible-and-trusted-companies-302159544.html

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

Philadelphia, PA —Aramark Collegiate Hospitality and University of South Florida’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management know that a strong educational foundation coupled with hands-on experience leads to post-graduation success. The first year of their partnership resulted in 100% job placement for the inaugural Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 classes.

Since 2022, the two entities have collaborated to fulfill the hospitality school’s mission to provide students with a comprehensive education that seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge with practical industry experience. In May, a new class of USF/Aramark fellows graduates with valuable service leadership experience.

“The partnership between USF’s School of Hospitality and Tourism and Aramark exemplifies the power of collaboration in shaping the future of the hospitality industry,” said Cihan Cobanoglu, Dean of USF’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

“By seamlessly integrating classroom learning with hands-on experience, fostering mentorship opportunities, and investing in the education of future leaders, this partnership serves as a beacon of excellence in preparing students for successful careers in hospitality. Together, we are not just building careers; we are cultivating a legacy of innovation, professionalism, and excellence in hospitality education.”

At the heart of this partnership lies a unique initiative: Aramark’s proactive engagement with first-year USF graduate hospitality students, providing practical experience and reinforcing classroom teaching with real-world application. The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management also can access the culinary and restaurant facilities across USF’s three campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee. These experiences provide students professional experience and even the chance to participate in the expansion of residential dining in development at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Surveys found that the experience was instrumental in shaping students’ understanding of the field, helping to prepare them for challenges ahead, and fostering attention to detail that comes from hands-on experience. They have earned ServSafe certificates and developed customer service and communications skills, cultural acuity, and a comprehensive understanding of food operations.

David DiSalvo, District Manager for Aramark at USF, finds this robust partnership to be a source of pride and inspiration: “It would be difficult to find a program that has comparable rigor and depth to USF. Having strong ties between academia and industry is not only key to our strategic pipeline of talent but also allows students to have a sophistication about the intricacies of hospitality management upon graduation. The opportunities for learning, development, and innovation created through partnerships like this are endless.”

Aramark executives are regularly featured as guest speakers in USF hospitality classes, providing guidance, inspiration, and networking opportunities for future hospitality leaders. Students actively engage with Aramark in class research projects—an endeavor that develops research skills and provides Aramark valuable insights that inform ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.

Students take International Hospitality Management and Introduction to Food Management classes in a teaching lab space at the Argos Exchange restaurant on USF’s Tampa campus, and the partnership has spurred creative projects such as the USF Hospitality Food Sustainability Student Competition and campus engagement events to highlight USF’s diverse community through cuisine.

“When I speak about partnership with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, I talk about the Hospitality Ecosystem on campuses,” said Jack Donovan, President and CEO of Aramark’s higher education division. “We are not satisfied with transactional relationships. What we do is analyze a school’s culture and needs and build a system that supports many audiences and enhances what that campus can offer its community. Our collaboration with USF represents the best of this.”

About USF School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
The University of South Florida School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is one of six schools in the Muma College of Business, which leverages analytics, critical thinking and creativity to empower its scholars and graduates to lead and transform the future of business. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International, the Muma College of Business works to drive student success, produce scholarship with impact, and generate innovation in partnership with our community. The college comprises business programs on all three USF campuses across Tampa Bay and serves more than 8,400 students.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 18 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Supplier Diversity,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram.