How PepsiCo Suppliers Use Regenerative Agriculture in Spain
By Georgia Collins
October 23, 2026
3 mins read
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Alvalle Gazpacho in Murcia | Credit: PepsiCo
Inside PepsiCo’s Alvalle gazpacho, where farmers in Spain use regenerative agriculture to care for soil, conserve water, and keep traditions alive
At the heart of PepsiCo’s Alvalle gazpacho are tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. In Spain, farming communities have supplied PepsiCo with these key ingredients for years. The recipe relies on harvesting these vegetables at their peak, sourced 125 miles away and delivered fresh after harvest to preserve flavor and texture.
Europe’s Vegetable Gardens
Murcia, known as one of Europe’s vegetable gardens, produces large volumes of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. For farmers, success depends on healthy soils and reliable water supplies.
Alvalle Gazpacho in Murcia | Credit: PepsiCo
PepsiCo works with farmers worldwide to promote regenerative agriculture practices that support soil health and enhance resilience.
An example is Jose Lluis’s farm, where these ingredients are cultivated using a mix of regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices designed to improve water use efficiency, promote soil health, and reduce reliance on conventional crop protection.
The farm is also part of a regional scheme using natural approaches to pest management. Insects like Nesidiocoris control bugs that damage tomato crops, and growers have installed habitats to encourage male bees that support tomato flower pollination.
“Regenerative agriculture works best when individual practices reinforce each other, from drip irrigation and cover crops to crop rotation and biological pest control,” says Christian Cerezo Rebe, a PepsiCo agronomist in southern Europe.
The Hills of Jaén
While the vegetables give the soup its fresh character, it’s the olive oil that adds richness to the recipe and binds its flavors.
With Murcia being a major olive oil producer, the hills of Jaén are a common source. However, frequent drought and increasing water pressure challenge many olive growers.
In response, the PepsiCo Foundation launched the VivaOliva initiative to help farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices to strengthen their groves and businesses.
Starting in 2025, the program initially supported 150 olive farmers and has since expanded to 200 farmers across the region. Participants receive practical training, technical support, and guidance from agronomy experts.