Bartlett, Campbell Soup Co. partner for North Carolina sustainability project
USA – Bartlett, a Savage Co., has announced a new sustainability project in collaboration with Campbell Soup Co. to promote regenerative farming practices in North Carolina.
This initiative focuses on enhancing soil health and conservation by offering technical and financial support to soft red winter wheat producers in the Charlotte area.
Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems that focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting biosequestration, increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil.
The Bartlett and Campbell Soup Co. project encompasses 10,000 acres of farmland that supply wheat to Bartlett’s flour mill in Statesville, NC. Bartlett provides flour to Campbell’s Snacks division, used to produce Lance Crackers at its Charlotte bakery.
Vaughn Duitsman, Director of Sustainability at Bartlett, said, “We’re excited to partner with Campbell to advance regenerative agricultural practices and support North Carolina wheat producers. Participating wheat producers will improve crop sustainability and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking steps such as adding cover crops, reducing tillage, and implementing nutrient measurement plans.”
As part of the project, Bartlett’s certified crop advisers will collaborate with participating wheat producers to identify the most suitable practices based on their farmland’s characteristics. Progress will be tracked yearly, leveraging digital tools and industry-based measurement standards.
“We value the opportunity to partner with wheat growers in North Carolina to advance farm sustainability in regions where we source wheat for our snacks,” Ryan Vroegindewey, Campbell’s Associate Director of Sustainable Agriculture, commented.
Bartlett has been committed to championing sustainability projects in its operations, engaging different partners to achieve these goals.
In 2021, Bartlett launched the Bartlett Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat Project to help combat climate change by driving innovation in farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil conservation.
In response to concerns about climate change globally, Nestlé U.S. also recently announced plans to invest in helping bring regenerative agriculture practices to wheat farms within its DiGiorno pizza brand supply chain, partnering with ADM and Ardent Mills on the initiative.
According to a press release by the company, the giant food processor is helping wheat farmers employ regenerative agriculture practices in their fields through a combination of financial support and technical resources.
