2026 Impact Awards Winner: PepsiCo Canada

PepsiCo Canada’s “Rooted in Canada” initiative empowered employees to become confident “Made in Canada” ambassadors. This four‑phase program equipped teams with farming and manufacturing stories, as well as real‑world tools, so they could proudly share PepsiCo’s local impact with their customers and their communities.

By spotlighting manufacturing, farming, and front-line teams, the program equipped  employees across the food and beverage sectors to actively represent the origins of their products. This allowed them to build displays, engage with customers and share credible Canadian stories with newfound pride.

At a time when local production matters more than ever, it is vital that employees feel confident and informed. Whether they are in stores with retail partners or at home with their families, they serve as the face of the PepsiCo story.

The company’s presence in Canada is deeply rooted in local expertise. Every day, more than 12,000 employees work to grow, make, move and sell products that Canadians recognize and trust.

To support this, “Rooted in Canada” moved beyond abstract corporate claims, providing employees with tangible evidence of PepsiCo’s Canadian footprint.

The “Top 5 Facts About PepsiCo in Canada” platform anchored the initiative. It translated complex operations into simple, repeatable narratives that employees could confidently use in real-world conversations with customers and retailers.

To deepen understanding, PepsiCo hosted national roundtables and fireside chats. These events connected employees directly with leaders and Canadian farmers to discuss regenerative agriculture commitments.

Through the “Rooted in Canada” series, farmers became visible ambassadors for the future of the country’s food system. Their voices created a trusted bridge between the company and the communities it serves.

Looking ahead, PepsiCo aims to deepen collaboration with rural communities and agricultural partners, helping Canadians understand how their everyday purchases support the national food system.