Pizza Hut and its parent company Yum Brands are partnering with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) to launch a sustainability initiative aimed to help participating farmers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative will allow the DFA and dairy suppliers to engage in annual farm-level greenhouse gas and energy footprinting. The project will use the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management and Environmental Stewardship evaluation, which estimates farm-level emissions and energy intensity using a scientific peer-reviewed model.
Once enrolled in the program, farms will receive a SCiO cup, a lab-grade matter analyzer that will allow farmers to evaluate their cows’ feed to provide precise nutrition and produce milk more efficiently. Pizza Hut said this will create less waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, the farms will be able to apply for funds to implement other sustainability efforts, including feed management enhancements and energy-efficient lighting, and recruit DFA members.
By 2025, Pizza Hut plans to source 50% of the dairy used to make its pizza cheese from farms enrolled in the program, the company said in a statement, noting that its commitment to high-quality cheese will remain a priority.
“With this sustainability initiative, we’re able to utilize technology along with our dairy partners in a way that helps the environment while still delivering the iconic taste that pizza lovers have come to expect from our offerings,” said Penny Shaheen, head of food innovation and technology at Pizza Hut.
The project is a part of a larger strategy among all parties to reach long-term sustainability goals. Yum Brands and Pizza Hut aim to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, while DFA looks to reduce emissions across its supply chain by 30% by 2030.
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