SUSTAINABILITY NEWS

22 February 2010 • David Lancaster

Food Security Case study • Walkers Crisps potato supply chain

Food and drink businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce the environmental impact both of their operational activities and their supply chains.PepsiCo and ADAS are working together to improve the sustainability of the Walkers Crisps potato supply chain in the UK.

PepsiCo is a world leading business in convenient snacks, foods and beverages, with products found in nearly 200 countries around the globe. Walkers Crisps which, in the UK, is the number one crisp band is enjoyed by over 10 million people everyday.

As well as corporate and consumer drivers, future government legislation will demand cuts in carbon emissions from agriculture in order to meet the targets set out in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan. PepsiCo is ahead of the game and realise that it and its suppliers have to act now to put their vision into action through the implementation of sustainable development programmes.

ADAS is working with PepsiCo to implement a sustainable development strategy for Walkers potato supply base – the farmers who grow the company’s main raw ingredient. To this end, ADAS has completed a programme of research and workshop facilitation. Four working groups, made up of the Walkers’ agricultural team and their suppliers, have been formed to identify how to measure, monitor and manage four key sustainability areas, including:

• Carbon management;
• Crop protection;
• Direct energy use; and
• Water management and water footprinting.

The working groups have discussed the complex interactions which influence the development of improvement strategies, and agreed appropriate baseline measurements against which to set targets and manage improvements. The results of the work will also feed into development projects for other PepsiCo supply chains.

For more information information, contact David Lancaster on 01775 680878  or e-mail David.Lancaster@adas.co.uk

or see

http://www.pepsico.co.uk/purpose/environment/reports-and-updates/20089-environment-update

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