Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a global leader in the food industry, has been recognized with an award in the Environmental category in the 2024 Just Food Excellence Awards for its outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability.
The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the food industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving change in the industry.
ADM won recognition for its environmental excellence due to its expansive regenerative agriculture program, which has significantly reduced carbon emissions and improved soil health across millions of acres globally. The company also received accolades for its innovative collaboration with Ooni Pizza Ovens, integrating sustainable practices into the food supply chain. Additionally, ADM’s strategic partnership with Bayer in Europe has driven the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, further enhancing biodiversity and reducing emissions.
Scaling regenerative agriculture: A global impact
ADM’s regenerative agriculture program has rapidly expanded, enrolling over 28,000 growers and covering more than 2.8 million acres globally in 2023. This initiative has significantly reduced carbon emissions and improved soil health, biodiversity, and water resources. By providing financial and technical support to farmers, ADM has facilitated the adoption of regenerative practices such as cover cropping and minimum tillage. These efforts have not only reduced the company’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas footprint but also delivered modeled CO2 sequestration equivalent to removing more than 135,000 cars from the road for a year.
ADM’s approach is outcome-based, focusing on tangible improvements in environmental metrics. The program’s expansion from North America to Europe and Latin America highlights its global reach and adaptability to different agricultural contexts. In the UK, the program has seen strong farmer uptake, with over 260 farmers enrolled in its first year. This success is attributed to ADM’s commitment to providing incentive payments and technical support, enabling farmers to implement regenerative practices effectively. The program’s scalability is further enhanced by partnerships with key implementation partners, offering remote data collection and validation to give farmers a deeper understanding of their carbon footprint and sustainability performance.
Innovative collaborations: Partnering for sustainable solutions
ADM’s collaboration with Ooni Pizza Ovens exemplifies its innovative approach to integrating regenerative agriculture into the food supply chain. By producing an exclusive line of flour using regenerative practices, ADM and Ooni are setting a new standard for sustainable pizza production. This partnership not only enhances the home pizza-making experience, but also aligns with consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. The initiative highlights ADM’s ability to connect climate-smart producers with downstream brands, thereby reducing Scope 3 emissions and promoting a more sustainable food system. Notably, Ooni Type ’00’ pizza flour will be produced using only electricity from renewable sources, further minimizing environmental impact.
This collaboration is part of ADM’s broader strategy to engage with brands that share its vision for sustainability. By working with Ooni, ADM is able to leverage its distinctive position in the wheat-to-flour value chain in the UK, minimizing environmental impact from farm to customer. The partnership also reflects a growing consumer trend towards sustainability, with research indicating that nearly half of UK consumers consider food and drink choices as a means to address climate change. By aligning with consumer values, ADM and Ooni are not only meeting market demand but also driving the transition to a more sustainable food system.
European expansion: A strategic partnership with Bayer
In Europe, ADM has extended its collaboration with Bayer to drive the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. This partnership focuses on reducing carbon emissions, increasing biodiversity, and improving soil health across various crops. By providing financial incentives and agronomic guidance, ADM and Bayer are empowering farmers to transition to regenerative practices. The program’s initial success in Poland, where carbon emissions were reduced by up to 40% for participating farmers, demonstrates the potential for large-scale environmental benefits. Bayer’s digital capabilities and the Sandy platform play a crucial role in measuring and verifying the program’s impact, showcasing ADM’s commitment to building a resilient and sustainable supply chain through strategic partnerships.
The collaboration with Bayer is a testament to ADM’s commitment to creating a robust and committed value chain approach. By combining Bayer’s digital, advanced science, and agronomy capabilities with ADM’s extensive network of growers, the partnership is able to offer first-in-class projects around regenerative agriculture. The program’s expansion into a broader range of crops and regions in Eastern Europe highlights its adaptability and potential for growth. By listening to the perspectives of growers and conducting in-depth on-farm risk assessments, ADM and Bayer are able to tailor their approach to meet the specific needs of each region, ensuring the program’s success and sustainability.
ADM’s achievements in regenerative agriculture, thus, exemplify its commitment to environmental excellence and sustainability. Through strategic collaborations, innovative practices, and ambitious goals, ADM is contributing to a more resilient and sustainable food system. Its recognition in the Environmental category is a testament to its leadership and vision for a sustainable future.
Company Profile
Archer Daniels Midland Co (ADM) produces, processes, transports, stores, and merchandises agricultural products, commodities, and ingredients. The company produces food and beverage ingredients, and other products made from oilseeds, corn, wheat, and other agricultural commodities. ADM’s product portfolio includes natural flavors and colors, health and nutrition products, vegetable oils, corn sweeteners, flour, animal feed, and biofuels. The company stores cleans, and transports agricultural commodities such as oilseeds, corn wheat, milo, oats, barley, and other products derived from these inputs through its global grain elevator and transportation network. ADM also offers services such as farmer services, transport, and logistics. It has business operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. ADM is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the US.
Links
Website: https://www.adm.com/
