PepsiCo has launched its inaugural Global Farmer Awards, a new international recognition program celebrating the farmers, families and advisors that form the backbone of its agricultural supply chain. The event took place this week at the company’s headquarters in Purchase, New York, bringing together nearly 60 participants from 19 countries to acknowledge leadership and innovation in sustainable farming.

As one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, PepsiCo sources over 50 crops and ingredients from more than 60 countries. The new awards reinforce its commitment to regenerative agriculture and the wider pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy, which places sustainability at the heart of the business.

“Our business starts with farmers. They are the heartbeat of our supply chain and the foundation of the global food system,” said Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. “These awards are about celebrating their contributions, highlighting the innovations they’re pioneering and reinforcing our shared ambition to help build a more resilient, more sustainable, more inclusive agricultural system.”

The top honor, Farmer of the Year 2025, was awarded to Chris and Harold Perry of The Perry Family Farm in Alberta, Canada. The fourth-generation business, which has supplied potatoes to Lay’s for more than 45 years, was recognized for its leadership in regenerative agriculture, renewable energy and productivity.

Awards were presented across six categories—Sustainability, Next-Gen Farming, Leadership & Advisory, Heritage & Growth, Quality, and Farmer of the Year—reflecting a diverse range of farms, from smallholders to large-scale operations across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

The initiative builds on PepsiCo’s Positive Agriculture goals, which include implementing regenerative practices across 10 million acres by 2030. The company has already achieved more than 3.5 million acres globally as of 2024. Current programs supporting this ambition include the Climate Resilience Platform, a digital tool offering real-time insights on weather and yield impacts, and STEP Up for Agriculture, a collaboration with Unilever and major retailers designed to strengthen farmer-support networks and accelerate the shift toward regenerative practices.

“With soil increasingly degraded and extreme weather events happening much more frequently, the global food system and the world’s ability to feed a growing population is under threat,” said Jim Andrew, PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Accelerating the adoption of regenerative farming practices is a critical part of making the global food system more resilient. Farmers need to be at the center of this transition—they are on the front lines.”

The three-day event also featured a Taste & Tell Expo showcasing the “crop to product” journey and roundtables between farmers and PepsiCo leadership. “By honoring these agricultural leaders, we are reinforcing our support for the people who grow our food and are championing the innovation needed to feed a growing population in a changing climate,” added Marcelo Stefani, PepsiCo’s Global Chief Procurement Officer.