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“As
a brand that serves more than 90% of Americans every year, we
recognize the responsibility we have to help safeguard our food
systems for long-term vitality,” Cesar Piña, McDonald’s chief
supply chain officer for North America, said in a statement.
Regenerative techniques aim to conserve water, enhance soil
health and reduce the need for synthetic chemicals and
fertilizers. Other big companies, including General Mills,
Nestle, Walmart and PepsiCo, have also been investing in
regenerative farming projects in recent years.
On cattle ranches, ranchers practicing regenerative agriculture
move cattle frequently and let the land recover for weeks or
months. That helps produce more grass with deeper roots, which
take more carbon from the air to help improve soil.
McDonald’s said its investment will help accelerate regenerative
grazing and water and wildlife conservation on ranches spanning
4 million acres in up to 38 states.
McDonald’s is working with the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation, which will independently award competitive grants to
organizations that will assist participating ranchers. The
company said some of its suppliers, including Cargill, Golden
State Foods and Coca-Cola, are also providing funding to the
foundation.
Jeff Trandahl, the executive director and CEO of the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation, said regenerative practices can
ultimately improve the productivity of grasslands and increase
ranches’ profitability. The foundation expects the first round
of awards will be announced in January.
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