Stevia regenerative agriculture program receives recognition for sustainability impact
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, 14 April 2025: Tate & Lyle, a leading global provider of ingredients for healthier food and beverages, has been honored with an award from Environment+Energy Leader (E+E Leader), a leading US sustainability publication, for its impactful regenerative stevia program in China. For nearly 15 years, the E+E Leader Awards have recognized excellence in environmental and energy management, celebrating organizations, products and projects that drive meaningful change. This award celebrates Tate & Lyle’s commitment to environment stewardship and efforts to strengthen responsible sourcing in the sweetener industry.
Tate & Lyle’s sustainability program, in partnership with environmental charity Earthwatch Europe and Nanjing Agricultural University, is designed to drive positive environmental and social impact across the stevia supply chain. The program focuses on farmer education, fertilizer optimization and the incorporation of cover crops. Through partnerships with farmers and investments in regenerative agricultural practices, the program has successfully improved soil health, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved local watershed quality while improving the livelihoods of participating stevia farmers.
An Environment+Energy Leader judge commented: “Tate & Lyle’s commitment to sustainable agriculture is a great example of how businesses can drive meaningful environmental and social impact. Their regenerative farming initiatives in stevia production reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health, helping small farmers with knowledge and economic opportunities. The program’s impressive reductions in fertilizer use and ecological impact underscore a forward-thinking approach to sustainability that sets a high standard for the industry.”
Anna Pierce, Tate & Lyle’s Director of Sustainability, said: “We are honored to receive recognition for our stevia program in China. This initiative helps farmers build climate resilience and improve crop quality. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the programme delivering such impressive results for both farmers and the environment while enabling more sustainable stevia production. It empowers us to meet our environmental commitments and supports our customers – global food and beverage producers, from start-ups to multi-nationals – in achieving their sustainability goals.”
Abigail Storms, Tate & Lyle’s SVP, Global Platform, Sweeteners and Fibres, said: “Our program is helping to develop an evidence base on sustainable stevia cultivation to ensure the stevia industry grows sustainably. Through the program, we’re also establishing best practices to inform our other sustainable agriculture programs and partnerships.”
Steven Loiselle, Senior Research Lead at Earthwatch Europe, said: “I’m really proud of Earthwatch’s work with Tate & Lyle and Nanjing Agricultural University, demonstrating how nature-friendly farming can address the key challenges of our time. Healthy soils and sustainable nutrient management are essential for maintaining farm biodiversity, improving water quality, lowering emissions, and building resilient food systems. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the program delivering such impressive results for both farmers and the environment while enabling more sustainable stevia production.”
As demand for non-artificial sweeteners continues to rise, Tate & Lyle remains at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that sustainability is a core part of its operations. By implementing innovative supply-chain collaborations, the company is helping to build a more resilient and environmentally responsible supply chain for stevia.
For more information about Tate & Lyle’s sustainability efforts, visit Caring for our planet | Tate & Lyle.
