Emerging issue: supply chain sustainability initiatives

Sustainability is a broad term that can refer to a variety of topics, from animal welfare to carbon sequestration. In recent years, companies with global supply chains have been making goals, setting standards, and implementing programming throughout those supply chains. Some examples could include a restaurant chain shifting to only cage-free eggs or a company offering cost-share on acres for commodities used in their supply chain. Often, these goals can be initiated from outside pressure and non-agricultural organizations could be shaping the decision-making process of corporate sustainability initiatives.

Supply chain initiatives can take many different forms. Some may be voluntary – a farmer can sign up to participate. Other times, participation or certification in a sustainability program can be a requirement to sell to a buyer or market. These are generally not driven by regulations in the United States but rather company sustainability goals or regulatory requirements from other countries. Increasingly, companies are striving to meet internal goals by mandating on-farm practices. This could lead to increased pressure on farmers who wish to access the broader marketplace. 

Questions to Consider

• Is engagement with corporate partners something MFB should prioritize? To what extent?
  • What information would members like to see communicated with our corporate partners?
  • What part(s) of the supply chain are most critical to engage and inform?
  • What resources should MFB dedicate to engaging with partners and companies in the supply chain?
• Are you or farmers in your area experiencing pressure(s) from companies who purchase your products to change on-farm practices?
  • Do these requirements impact your access to that market?
• Are there practices or marketing opportunities you would like corporate partners to pursue at the industry level that they currently aren’t?
• Are there positive examples of corporate partners engaging with farmers? What do those look like?

Policy References

AFBF Policy #240 Sustainable Agriculture 

AFBF Policy #418 Environmental, Social and Governance

MFB Policy #69 Agricultural Conservation

Additional Resources

Bel Group Regenerative Agriculture

PepsiCo Regenerative Agriculture

Nestle Regenerative Agriculture