PepsiCo, McCain Foods, Lamb Weston Among Regenerative Agriculture Leaders as Big Food Stumbles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, ryon@asyousow.org, (310) 730-9407
EL CERRITO, CALIFORNIA—JUL 10, 2025— A new report by As You Sow grades 20 major food companies on the quality of their regenerative agriculture programs and finds that a majority failed to implement key components necessary to achieve regenerative outcomes, risking production inefficiency, missed market opportunities, and reputational damage from greenwashing claims.
“Regenerative agriculture” implies that companies are using few or no toxic synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, increasing soil coverage, and using diversified crop rotation, among other actions critical to production and cost reductions. It also builds soil health and reduces soil loss; reduces farm workers and fence-line communities’ exposure to toxic compounds; reduces water and air pollution; increases biodiversity and pollinator health; and makes food more nutritious. Continued use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers on farms hinders each of these regenerative goals.
“Hundreds of millions of pounds of pesticides are applied to crops in the U.S. every year to control weeds, insect infestations, and plant diseases. Pesticides directly harm the microorganisms essential to regenerating healthy soil, which is regenerative agriculture’s main objective. Similarly, 20.8 million metric tons of fertilizer are used, which harm waterways and air quality,” said Cailin Dendas, lead author and As You Sow’s environmental health sr. coordinator. “Labelling programs that rely on massive pesticide and fertilizer use as ‘regenerative’ misleads investors and consumers, and leaves companies susceptible to claims of greenwashing, creating litigation and reputational risk.”
Notably, only 3 companies in the report currently require the reduction of toxic synthetic pesticides in their regenerative agriculture programs. McCain Foods, Lamb Weston, and PepsiCo set high standards for peers to follow not only by reducing pesticide use but by defining regenerative agriculture with clear, outcome-based criteria for their suppliers; tracking and reporting progress on regenerative outcomes; and collaborating with suppliers, researchers, technology developers, farmers, and other stakeholders to advance large-scale adoption. These companies received B and C grades, respectively. Unfortunately, a significant majority of companies earned much lower scores, with an average company grade of “D.”
“Low company scores shine a light on the food industry’s failure to evolve beyond industrial farming,” said Danielle Fugere, As You Sow’s president and chief counsel. “Adopting effective regenerative food programs is essential to creating a supply chain resilient to extreme weather events and crop loss, and minimizing the use of toxic synthetic inputs linked to chronic illness and cancer.”
“There's an inherent contradiction in using degenerative practices like reliance on pesticides, while claiming regenerative outcomes,” said Kendyl Van Dyck, co-author and consultant for As You Sow.
“Our agricultural system is at a significant turning point,” said Dendas, “environmental degradation too often outweighs the benefits provided by industrial farming. Food companies have the power to regenerate healthy soil and food – a win for farmers, consumers, investors, and the environment – but, instead, too many are taking half measures rather than adopting the full range of core regenerative practices within their supply chains.”
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As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility. Its focus areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, the Rights of Nature, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow’s shareholder resolution tracker.