How PepsiCo, ADM and McCain are scaling regenerative agriculture

Major food companies anchor regenerative agriculture in core supply chains

PepsiCo, ADM and McCain Foods have moved regenerative agriculture from pilot trials into large-scale sourcing programs. Consequently, these strategies now combine climate targets with supply chain resilience across millions of acres in North America and Europe.

The shift matters because regenerative practices are no longer limited to voluntary sustainability projects. Instead, companies are tying farmer payments, technical support and emissions reductions directly to crop production at scale.

For UK businesses sourcing ingredients or facing Scope 3 emissions pressure, the approach offers a model. However, it also raises questions about transparency, measurement standards and how regenerative claims translate into verifiable outcomes.

PepsiCo and ADM build multi-state regenerative sourcing across 2 million acres

In 2022, PepsiCo and ADM announced a 7.5-year commercial agreement to scale regenerative agriculture across corn, soy and wheat supply chains. The program covers six US states: Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska.

The companies said the initiative could eventually reach up to 2 million acres. They estimate it could eliminate 1.4 million metric tons of greenhouse gases at farm level, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 275,000 homes.

Farmers enrolled in the program receive technical and financial assistance. Additionally, they gain access to peer networks, educational field days and third-party measurement systems. The regenerative practices promoted include cover crops, reduced tillage, nutrient management, diverse crop rotations and responsible pesticide use.

PepsiCo describes regenerative farming as a set of practices that support soil health, reduce emissions, improve watershed health, enhance biodiversity and strengthen farmer livelihoods. ADM and PepsiCo framed their agreement as a way to reduce carbon intensity while building resilience in shared North American supply chains.

PepsiCo expands acreage target to 10 million by 2030

PepsiCo has increased its regenerative agriculture ambition from an earlier 7 million-acre target to 10 million acres by 2030. By the end of 2024, the company reported driving regenerative, restorative or protective practices across more than 3.5 million acres.

The program has engaged approximately 20,000 farmers. PepsiCo said those efforts produced about 1.6 million metric tons of net reduction in on-farm greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, including soil carbon sequestration.

This expansion shows the company embedding regenerative sourcing into commodity procurement. Furthermore, it demonstrates how large food manufacturers are linking climate commitments to agricultural supply chains rather than treating them as separate workstreams.

ADM applies regenerative sourcing model across Europe

ADM’s regenerative work extends beyond the North American partnership with PepsiCo. In 2025, ADM joined PepsiCo and Mars in a regenerative agriculture program in Poland that supported 24 farmers across 5,454 hectares.

ADM served as an implementation partner in the Poland initiative. The company contributed financial and technical resources to help farmers transition to regenerative practices.

The Poland program is notable because it applies a landscape-level model. Therefore, regenerative sourcing operates across multiple farms in a defined region rather than through isolated supplier relationships. This approach reflects a shift toward coordinated regional programs that address soil health and emissions at scale.

McCain positions regenerative agriculture as core potato sourcing strategy

McCain Foods has built regenerative agriculture into its potato production model. The company frames the approach around long-term farm resilience and the ability to cope with environmental and financial shocks.

McCain’s public program description states the goal is to transform farming practices through regenerative methods. Moreover, the company aligns these methods with its supply needs and farming relationships.

A 2025 report by As You Sow identified McCain as one of the stronger performers among major food companies on regenerative agriculture. The report said McCain, PepsiCo and Lamb Weston set higher standards through clearer criteria, outcome tracking and supplier collaboration.

McCain’s focus on farm resilience reflects a commercial calculation. Potatoes require stable growing conditions, and disruptions from drought or soil degradation can threaten supply. Consequently, regenerative practices are positioned as risk management, not just environmental compliance.

Regenerative agriculture becomes mainstream procurement, not pilot activity

These programs show regenerative agriculture shifting from niche projects to mainstream procurement strategy. The business logic is clear: companies want lower emissions, but they also need soils, water systems and supply chains that can better withstand drought, weather volatility and price shocks.

Scale matters. PepsiCo’s public target of 10 million acres by 2030 and ADM’s multi-year, multi-state sourcing agreements indicate regenerative agriculture is being embedded into commodity supply chains. The Poland program demonstrates the model is also being applied in Europe, not just North America.

However, the As You Sow report highlights that not all corporate regenerative programs are equally rigorous. Outcome-based definitions and transparent reporting are becoming critical differentiators. Companies with clear criteria, measurement systems and supplier collaboration stand out from those using regenerative agriculture primarily as a marketing claim.

What this means for UK businesses facing Scope 3 emissions pressure

For UK businesses with food supply chains, these programs illustrate how regenerative agriculture is being operationalised at scale. If you source ingredients or agricultural commodities, your suppliers may already be enrolling in similar schemes. Alternatively, you may face pressure from customers or procurement frameworks to demonstrate regenerative sourcing.

Scope 3 emissions remain the hardest category to measure and reduce. Agriculture typically accounts for a significant share of Scope 3 for food manufacturers, retailers and hospitality businesses. Regenerative agriculture offers a pathway to emissions reductions, but only if programs include robust measurement and third-party verification.

UK businesses preparing for mandatory climate reporting under the sustainability disclosure standards should pay attention to how these companies structure their regenerative programs. Specifically, note the emphasis on technical support, farmer incentives and third-party measurement. These elements are necessary to convert regenerative claims into verifiable data that survives audit scrutiny.

Supply chain resilience is equally important. Extreme weather events have already disrupted UK food supply chains. Regenerative practices that improve soil health, water retention and biodiversity can reduce vulnerability to climate shocks. Therefore, these programs address both emissions and operational risk.

Key details from the regenerative agriculture programs

• PepsiCo and ADM signed a 7.5-year agreement in 2022 to scale regenerative agriculture across up to 2 million acres in six US states, targeting 1.4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
• PepsiCo expanded its regenerative acreage target from 7 million to 10 million acres by 2030 and reported more than 3.5 million acres under regenerative practices by the end of 2024.
• The PepsiCo program engaged approximately 20,000 farmers and produced about 1.6 million metric tons of net on-farm emissions reductions in 2024, including soil carbon sequestration.
• ADM, PepsiCo and Mars launched a regenerative agriculture program in Poland in 2025, supporting 24 farmers across 5,454 hectares with financial and technical resources.
• McCain Foods has built regenerative agriculture into its core potato sourcing strategy, focusing on farm resilience and the ability to cope with environmental and financial shocks.
• A 2025 As You Sow report identified McCain, PepsiCo and Lamb Weston as stronger performers on regenerative agriculture, citing clearer criteria, outcome tracking and supplier collaboration.

Questions UK businesses should consider about regenerative sourcing

UK businesses sourcing agricultural products should ask whether their suppliers participate in regenerative programs. If they do, you need to understand the measurement standards, verification processes and how emissions reductions are calculated. Without this detail, regenerative claims may not support your own Scope 3 reporting obligations.

Consider whether your supply contracts include provisions for regenerative practices. PepsiCo and ADM provide technical and financial assistance to farmers. Therefore, their programs create alignment between commercial agreements and sustainability outcomes. UK businesses may need to build similar incentives into supplier relationships.

Evaluate the regional applicability of these models. The Poland program shows regenerative agriculture is expanding in Europe. UK farming systems, soil types and regulatory frameworks differ from North America, but the core principles around soil health, crop diversity and reduced tillage remain relevant. Consequently, UK businesses can adapt these approaches to domestic supply chains.

Think about how regenerative agriculture fits into broader ESG compliance requirements. Carbon reporting and ESG compliance services increasingly require Scope 3 data from agricultural supply chains. Regenerative programs that include third-party measurement can provide the evidence base needed for credible disclosure.

Ask whether regenerative sourcing reduces supply chain risk. The McCain example emphasises farm resilience alongside emissions. If your business depends on stable agricultural supply, regenerative practices may offer commercial value beyond climate reporting. Therefore, the business case extends to operational continuity, not just sustainability credentials.

Where to find further information on regenerative agriculture standards

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provides guidance on sustainable farming practices and environmental land management schemes in England. These schemes include support for practices aligned with regenerative principles, such as cover cropping and soil health improvement.

The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment offers resources on environmental standards and sustainability reporting. IEMA guidance can help businesses understand how regenerative agriculture fits into broader environmental management systems.

As You Sow publishes research on corporate regenerative agriculture programs and provides comparative analysis of company performance. Their reports highlight the importance of transparent criteria and outcome measurement in distinguishing credible programs from marketing claims.

For businesses working on carbon reporting and net zero programs, understanding how regenerative agriculture contributes to Scope 3 emissions reductions is essential. Measurement standards, verification protocols and alignment with recognised carbon accounting frameworks determine whether regenerative sourcing can support climate commitments.