Several food and beverage companies secured USDA investments this month for sustainability initiatives through its $2.8 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. As major corporations like Tyson strive to meet their emissions-reduction targets, it is essential to motivate farmers to implement sustainable agricultural practices. The Biden administration is also focusing on enhancing sustainability while fostering competition in the agriculture and meat sectors, all while addressing ongoing supply chain challenges, as emphasized by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a speech at Georgetown University earlier this year. Out of 450 applicants, seventy projects were selected, with over fifty pertaining to the food and beverage industry, particularly in the meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable, and ingredient sectors. These projects mainly aim to advance operations that lower carbon emissions throughout the agricultural supply chain, involving both suppliers and processors, and indicate a shift in how food companies source their commodities to produce goods.
Here are five projects from food and beverage companies that received USDA funding. Meat giant Tyson will receive up to $60 million for carbon sequestration in beef production and row crops for livestock feed. The USDA noted that underserved and smaller farmers will gain access to technical assistance and financial incentives to encourage sustainable agricultural methods that reduce emissions. Tyson’s project will take place across various states in the South, Midwest, and Northwest, with a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in its supply chain by 2050.
However, the project has faced criticism. The sustainability nonprofit Friends of the Earth criticized the USDA for funding Tyson’s initiative. The organization argued that providing $60 million in taxpayer dollars to Tyson Foods for “climate-smart” beef is akin to the EPA granting the same amount to Exxon for “green” gasoline. “It’s a massive corporate giveaway, and it’s unacceptable,” said senior food and agriculture campaigner Jason Davison, urging Congress and the USDA to ensure transparency and accountability for these projects.
Truterra, the sustainability branch of Land O’Lakes, will receive up to $90 million for a pilot project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7.2 million metric tons over five years. According to Land O’Lakes president and CEO Beth Ford, the project seeks to address a “connection problem” between farmers who adopt sustainable practices and companies looking to purchase their products. The funds will be used to incentivize regenerative farming among suppliers and create a self-sustaining ecosystem by selling commodities and “ecosystem credits” to downstream buyers.
Almond grower Blue Diamond was awarded up to $45 million to enhance its use of cover crops, conservation plantings, hedgerows, and whole orchard recycling while sourcing almonds from 3,000 growers in California’s Central Valley. The USDA stated that the project will promote climate-smart practices among almond suppliers by verifying their sustainability claims, including business-to-business reporting and greenhouse gas quantification. This initiative is expected to support the development of a market-based mechanism for almond buyers, encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices.
Organic dairy producer Maple Hill Creamery will receive up to $20 million to provide training and support to small dairy farmers during their operational transformations. According to the USDA, this initiative will affect farmers in New York state. “As the largest 100% grass-fed dairy business in the U.S., it is our responsibility to lead best practices in sustainable dairy farming,” stated Jim Hau, president of Maple Hill. Supporting smaller organic dairy farmers has become a priority for several companies in the sector, with Stonyfield launching a program earlier this year to assist 135 small family-owned dairy farms in the Northeast after their contracts with Horizon Organic and Maple Hill ended.
Agricultural technology firm AgriCapture has been selected to receive $7.5 million for a project aimed at reducing annual emissions in the U.S. rice sector by 391,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The team will provide technical assistance and insights to farmers in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, and California to certify that their cultivation methods are emission-reducing. “USDA funding allows AgriCapture to continue building the market for climate-smart commodities by expanding participating acreage, partnering with additional rice mills, and increasing Climate-Friendly rice purchasing volume,” the company stated in its announcement. In conclusion, as these initiatives unfold, it is vital to recognize the importance of integrating sustainable practices, much like the role of calcium citrate tablets in promoting health and wellness, ensuring a more sustainable future for the agriculture industry.