46�NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025 ABASTO.COM AGRICULTURAL FOCUS Alliance Seeks to Promote Sustainable Agricultural Methods in the Dairy Industry Conservancy’s dairy program. “By putting farmers at the center and collaborating with industry leaders, this initiative can make dairy production part of the climate solution.” Independent experts will validate the results of the pilot program. AHOLD DELHAIZE USA EXPANDS ITS AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS For Ahold Delhaize USA, this is its four- th project focused on agricultural land under its sustainability commitments. Te initiative complements previous partnerships in regenerative agriculture. “As we work toward a healthier pla- net, this pilot program gives us ano- ther way to reduce emissions across the value chain,” said Kendrick Repko, Vice President of Health and Sustaina- bility at Ahold Delhaize USA. With this partnership, the company is expanding its infuence in promo- ting sustainable dairy practices. DANONE’S REGENERATIVE APPROACH Danone North America considers this efort part of its Impact Journey pro- gram, which invests in large-scale re- generative agriculture. “At Danone, we know we can’t do it alone,” said Jessie Copeland, head of Regenerative Agriculture at Danone North America. “Collaborating with farmers and strategic partners allows us to create resilient systems that be- neft farms, communities, and the en- vironment.” In the United States, Danone opera- tes 13 plants across 10 states, emplo- ying 5,000 people and collaborating with over 50 farms. SCALING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE The collaboration reflects a growing trend in the food industry: adopting sustainable agriculture practices in the dairy sector to ad- dress climate change. By pooling expertise and resources, Ahold Delhaize USA, Danone, and The Nature Conservancy aim to deve- lop replicable models that extend beyond the yogurt chain. With independent validation and financial strategies, the part- ners aim to demonstrate that sus- tainability can be both profitable and environmentally beneficial. The dairy initiative demonstra- tes how major players in retail, manufacturing, and conserva- tion can collaborate to reduce emissions, enhance agricultural resilience, and meet the growing demand for climate-responsible products. By Abasto A hold Delhaize USA, Danone North America, and Te Nature Conservancy announced a joint initiative to promote sustainable agri- cultural practices in the dairy sector and reduce methane emissions in the supply chain. Te pilot project aims to imple- ment agricultural methods that redu- ce emissions, improve efciency, and enhance resilience in dairy operations supplying yogurt products. REDUCING METHANE WITH SUSTAINABLE METHODS Te goal is to reduce methane emis- sions on dairy farms over the next fve years. Danone yogurts sold under Ahold Delhaize USA brands—Food Lion, Giant Food, Te GIANT Com- pany, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop— will be included in the plan. Farming partners will adopt techni- ques such as manure separation, com- post turners, spreaders, and irrigation tools. Tese practices improve ef- ciency and reduce the environmental impact of dairy production. THE ROLE OF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY Te Nature Conservancy will provide te- chnical assistance and support to ensu- re the long-term adoption of sustaina- ble methods. NatureVest’s division will develop fnancial mechanisms to scale solutions in the agri-food sector. “Te project represents a bold step toward decarbonizing milk,” said Ali- sha Staggs, director of Te Nature