09-22-2026MADE POSSIBLE

Why a food and drinks giant is betting big on crop science

At a multigeneration family farm in Alberta, drones and data are replacing guesswork—part of PepsiCo’s broader bet that healthier soil means a more resilient global supply chain

Chloe Perry, left, represents the fifth generation of Perry Family Farm members. She’s joined by (from left), her father Harold, her uncle Chris, and Jim Andrew, PepsiCo’s chief sustainability officer.

BY Fast Company Custom Studio

Forty-five billion. That’s how many potatoes are used every year to make Lay’s, Ruffles, and other snacks produced by food and beverage giant PepsiCo. These potatoes are a crucial link in PepsiCo’s global supply chain, so it’s in the company’s best interest to make sure every farmer’s annual harvest is dependably strong.

These days, however, farmers are dealing with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. A sustained drought leaves fields dry and dusty. A sudden flash flood washes away crops and robs........

© Fast Company