Sustainable Success

Sustainable Success

Sysco has special programs in place that are helping its suppliers movetoward more environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

With one of the largest footprints in the foodservice industry, Sysco is in a position to effect positive change at scale. It's this sentiment that drives initiates such as Sysco's Sustainable Agriculture/Integrated Pest Management program (IPM). Since 2004, the program has elevated standards and practices across the food industry by helping the farmers who supply Sysco brand canned and frozen fruits and vegetables to protect growing areas, improve soils and conserve water, while encouraging responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Commonsense Solutions

The program promotes economically viable agricultural practices that include pesticide management, waste reduction, water and energy conservation and solutions such as using cover crops, crop rotation and natural pest control. "Sysco is proud of the work our growers are doing to implement sustainable agriculture practices in the field. Their efforts help protect biodiversity, improve soil health and conserve water," says Tammy McElroy, Sysco's Senior Director of Sustainability.

Accountability

Sysco is elevating standards and practices across the industry by holding its supplier/partners accountable. Since IPM’s inception 15 years ago, suppliers who have implemented its principles have reported avoiding the use of more than 35 million pounds of pesticides. The program has also succeeded in reducing overall chemical fertilizer use, protecting pollinator habitats and increasing the beneficial reuse of vegetative waste in compost, cattle feed and material left on fields after harvest.

4 SUCCESSES FROM THE FIELD

1. Regional grower innovation groups are working to improve soil by planting cover crops and using “strip tilling,” where soil is left undisturbed outside planting rows.

2. A raisin supplier reduced the use of nitrogen fertilizers by increasing soil, leaf and water testing in its vineyards.

3. A blueberry supplier reduced soil loss and controlled weeds by planting the open spaces between rows of blueberries with sod or other cover crops.

4. An apple supplier set aside 40 acres of land as a natural habitat for wildlife and pollinators.