Pizza Hut Increases Sustainable Dairy Sourcing, Cuts Cheese Emissions by 10% in 2023
In collaboration with Dairy Farmers of America, Pizza Hut announced in 2022 that it would work with 10,000 farms focused on sustainable practices. According to Yum! Brands’ 2023 sustainability report, released on October 8, Pizza Hut surpassed its original goal, sourcing 60 percent of milk from low-emission farms a year ahead of schedule.
Dairy contributes substantially to U.S. agricultural emissions, with feed production and methane from cow digestion and manure as the primary sources. To combat this, Pizza Hut's partner farms measure their emissions annually and are eligible for funding through the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management and Environmental Stewardship program, supporting projects that reduce emissions.
Key practices contributing to emission reductions include improved feed management, such as adjusting the protein-to-forage ratios and using specialized feeding techniques to reduce methane. The company is also piloting manure management practices and nitrogen use optimization for feed crops.
Expanding its sustainability efforts beyond the U.S., Pizza Hut has launched a three-year program in New Zealand and a two-year initiative in the UK to assist dairy farms in adopting similar practices. The company joins others like Mars and General Mills in committing to lower dairy emissions and supporting farms through strategic partnerships.
“Influencing sustainable changes in dairy production relies on these relationships to help farms adopt emissions-reduction practices without incurring significant financial burdens,” explained Mollie Hoss-Kuhne, senior strategist at Quantis.
The practices being implemented include:
- Using feed additives, such as seaweed-based supplements
- Reducing nitrogen use in feed crop production
- Exploring innovative manure management techniques
These efforts reflect the growing trend among large food companies to prioritize environmental responsibility in their supply chains. Pizza Hut’s initiatives are expected to contribute to broader industry efforts to meet ambitious emissions targets by the end of the decade.
Image by trellis.net
