Sysco has launched a new “Home Grown by Sysco” pilot programme across three U.S. regions, with additional rollout in parts of Canada, aiming to scale locally sourced food supply across its distribution network.
The programme began on February 24 and covers the Great Lakes, Northeast and South Florida regions in the United States, alongside operations in Montreal and British Columbia.
It allows customers and sales teams to identify around 10,000 locally sourced products through Sysco’s digital ordering platforms.
Sysco said the initiative is part of its wider sustainability strategy, focused on building more resilient supply chains and expanding access to regional producers.
The company defines “locally sourced” as products originating close to its distribution centres, typically within the same state or province.
The pilot builds on an existing regional programme first introduced in the Great Lakes area in 2021, now being scaled under a unified model.
Sysco said the next phase will focus on improving product identification systems and customer experience before expanding the programme across the United States over the next 12 months.
The distributor works with approximately 730,000 customer locations globally and operates 339 distribution centres across 10 countries, supplying foodservice operators including restaurants, healthcare and hospitality.
Why it matters
The Sysco local sourcing pilot highlights how food distribution networks are shifting toward regional supply models to improve resilience and traceability.
For the FMCG sector, stronger local sourcing systems can influence how fresh produce, proteins and specialty products move across both foodservice and supermarket channels.
Digital identification of local products also reflects a broader move toward more transparent sourcing, which is becoming increasingly important for retailers and buyers managing sustainability targets and supplier networks.
As Sysco scales the programme, competition for regional suppliers is likely to increase, particularly in fresh and premium categories where supermarkets and foodservice operators rely on overlapping supply chains.
