Reflections from the 2025 TSC Summit: Embracing Uncertainty and Strengthening Sustainability
At this year’s Sustainability Consortium (TSC) Summit, Measure to Improve had the opportunity to connect with stakeholders across the supply chain—brands, retailers, suppliers, NGOs, and technical experts—all at different points on their sustainability journey. While each organization faces unique challenges, one thing became clear: no one is alone in this work.
The 2025 TSC Summit brought together sustainability leaders from across the supply chain for collaboration, celebration, and a shared vision of a more sustainable future.
That sense of shared purpose set the tone for the entire event. Alice Walton opened the summit with a message that couldn’t have been more timely: we shouldn't let fear of failure stop us from moving forward. Mistakes aren’t signs of weakness—they’re often necessary steps toward growth. Especially in uncertain times, it’s essential that we take action anyway.
That message resonates deeply with the fresh produce industry. Growers, shippers, and buyers are managing more complexity than ever—shifting markets, regulatory changes, climate pressures—all while continuing to feed our communities. Woven throughout the TSC Summit, agriculture-focused sessions provided space to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in sustainability across the supply chain.
Digging into “Wicked” Issues in Agriculture
One of the most thought-provoking sessions was the panel Wicked Issues and Opportunities in Agri-Food Supply Chains, which included speakers from ASR Group, Syngenta, Bayer, and Walmart. The term “wicked issues” refers to persistent, complex problems that don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution.
Panelists explored challenges such as scaling regenerative agriculture beyond pilot projects and leveraging existing (or collecting new) data to drive sustainability in a meaningful way. These problems are tough—but they’re not unsolvable. The panel laid a foundation for deeper conversations and a collective recognition that progress requires working together differently.
The Sustainability Consortium Summit 2025
Shared Challenges, Collective Solutions
Following the panel, attendees split into breakout groups to dig deeper into their own "wicked issues" and surface ideas for action. Participants came from all sectors of the supply chain, bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
Despite this diversity, common themes quickly emerged. Many groups agreed: these issues are complex, but there are tangible opportunities. Among the most important:
Supplier education that meets partners where they are at
Cross-functional collaboration between sustainability and procurement teams
Creating space for honest conversations around progress and limitations
This spirit of collaboration and peer learning helped reinforce that no company is in this alone—and no one has to solve everything at once.
Corinne Carney, Measure to Improve, and Roberta Anderson, GLOBALG.A.P. at the 2025 TSC Summit.
Retailers Leading Through Partnership
Another highlight was the panel Collaboration in Supply Chains: How Retailers are Partnering with Suppliers to Drive Sustainability, featuring representatives from Walmart, Aldi, and Ahold.
Each retailer shared examples of how they’re actively supporting suppliers:
Ahold is investing in supplier regenerative agriculture initiatives
Aldi is a partner in the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LOCT) program, which funds supplier climate training
Walmart created the Circular Connector, a tool to help identify sustainable packaging solutions
These stories show what effective partnership looks like: co-creating solutions, aligning incentives, simplifying requests, and celebrating incremental progress. For the produce industry, it’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t about checking a box—it’s about building relationships and systems that enable long-term success.
Why This Matters for Fresh Produce
In the fresh produce world, these conversations hit especially close to home. Growers, shippers, and buyers are all being asked to do more with less—managing climate pressures, workforce shifts, and changing market expectations.
Supplier engagement is no longer optional; it’s essential to building resilient, sustainable supply chains. But the complexity is real. Producers are navigating tight margins and unpredictable growing conditions. Simply asking for more data or action—without providing support—rarely results in meaningful progress.
Instead, we’re seeing success when organizations build trust, co-create solutions, and offer tools and resources that meet suppliers where they are.
Don’t Let Uncertainty Stall Your Sustainability Efforts
In today’s evolving regulatory climate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to prioritize. The path forward isn’t always clear, and that uncertainty can stall momentum. But what we heard loud and clear at the TSC Summit was this: don’t let it.
Getting started—or staying the course—is what matters most. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or refining one that’s been in place for years, now is the time to take that next step. Lean on your network. Share what’s working. Keep showing up.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going.
Corinne Carney, Measure to Improve, at the very first Walmart.
We’re With You
At Measure to Improve, we partner with companies across the fresh produce supply chain to turn sustainability goals into real, achievable action. We bring clarity to complexity, help engage suppliers in meaningful ways, and support programs that deliver results—without losing sight of your day-to-day realities.
The 2025 TSC Summit reminded us that while the challenges are big, so is the community working to solve them. Let’s keep going—together.