Campbell Soup Company has announced it will receive $3.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to support sustainable practices among California tomato growers. The initiative will see Campbell’s partner with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), American Farmland Trust, and various Resource Conservation Districts to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture systems aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing soil health, and improving water management.
“Campbell’s and California tomato growers have a long history of partnering on sustainability,” said Stewart Lindsay, Campbell’s Chief Sustainability Officer. He emphasized the importance of supporting climate-smart agricultural practices amid the growing challenges posed by climate change.
The funding will enable project partners to provide financial resources and technical assistance to growers, helping to lower the costs associated with implementing new soil health and irrigation management practices. “This funding allows us to provide financial resources and technical support for farmers to adopt these practices quickly,” stated Tom Stein, California Regional Director at American Farmland Trust.