PepsiCo uses around 20,000t of Australian canola oil per annum to make its snack brands including Smith’s and Doritos. Photo: PepsiCo

PepsiCo ANZ, has today announced that it is partnering with the Cool Soil Initiative, bringing canola to the greenhouse gas-reduction program for the first time.

The Cool Soil Initiative is a paddock-to-product partnership, working with grain growers through regional farming systems to test and validate management practices which can mitigate on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative involves Charles Sturt University, and the Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre, and more than 180 growers in total in New South Wales and Victoria involved through three farming groups: Central West Farming Systems; FarmLink, and Riverine Plains.

PepsiCo has joined the Cool Soil Initiative as a commercial partner, with Mars Petcare, Kellogg, Manildra Group, Allied Pinnacle, and Corson already on board.

PepsiCo sources more than 20,000 tonnes of Australian canola oil annually to make its major
snack brands such as Smith’s and Doritos.

Most of the canola oil canola used by PepsiCo is made from seed grown in regions where the Cool Soils Initiative is active.

Joining the partnership will enable PepsiCo to contribute to supporting farmers in future-proofing
their farming systems, while ensuring that PepsiCo can continue to source sustainably-produced canola from these regions into the future.

The farmer-focused approach of the Cool Soil Initiative also aligns with PepsiCo Positive, which guides the business on how to inspire positive change for the planet and people.

“As one of Australia’s largest snack manufacturers, we recognise we have a real responsibility to invest in improving the sustainability of our supply chain,” PepsiCo ANZ sustainability manager Brent Gapes said.

“Bringing canola into the Cool Soil Initiative is another first for us on this journey – delivering real benefits to our customers, partners, consumers and the industry at large.”

Cool Soil Initiative project lead Cassandra Schefe said PepsiCo’s involvement signifies further expansion while validating the project’s farmer-focused and whole-of-industry approach.

“The only way we are going to provide clear alignment and mutual benefit for farmers and supply chain partners is if we work together in a pre-competitive collaboration for common sustainability outcomes,” Dr Schefe said.

Source: PepsiCo

NOTE: While Manildra Group is involved in canola crushing through its partnership with the Mac Smith family’s MSM Milling business, only wheat as handled at Manildra Group sites falls under the Cool Soil Initiative at present.