Our Path Forward
Sysco’s Commitment to Reconciliation
Sysco Canada is committed to the process of reconciliation through empowerment and sustainability of Indigenous communities across Canada.
We are honoured to share our inaugural Our Path Forward Impact Report for FY25, highlighting our progress from July 2024 to June 2025 across all facets of our organization. This report represents our shared understanding of and commitment to our strategy, and while we are proud of the progress we have made, we acknowledge that reconciliation is an ongoing journey.
Our Purpose of connecting the world to share food and care for one another is at the core of what we do – and it guides our commitments and actions to be more connected with the communities we impact. As a corporate leader, we have a responsibility to actively participate in building strong relationships with Indigenous communities, rooted in mutual respect, accountability, and sustained engagement.
Through Our Path Forward, we will support the empowerment and sustainability of Indigenous communities through commitments on three key Pillars:
Purpose
People
Product
Purpose
People
Product
Purpose
Recognizing the profound connection between food, culture, and community, we are committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities. Our Purpose, connecting the world to share food and care for one another, guides our commitments to reconciliation. We hold organizational accountability and pledge to honour and respect the rich culinary traditions and knowledge of Indigenous peoples, integrating wisdom into our practices.
Purpose
Sysco’s Purpose not only guides our commitments to reconciliation but also serves as our why, and is the foundation for our commitments and actions. We recognize the critical importance of organizational accountability in this journey, and we pledge to honour and respect the rich culinary traditions and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.
Enhancing Food Accessibility in the North
Since 2021, Sysco Canada has been on a mission to close the gap in food accessibility for Indigenous communities in remote northern Canada through Sysco North. As of FY25, Sysco North proudly serves 28 communities across three provinces and territories, transforming how these regions access essential goods.
Enhancing Food Accessibility in the North
Since 2021, Sysco Canada has been on a mission to close the gap in food accessibility for Indigenous communities in remote northern Canada through Sysco North. As of FY25, Sysco North proudly serves 28 communities across three provinces and territories, transforming how these regions access essential goods.
Advocating for Nutritious Food
In FY25, we advanced our advocacy in partnership with Nutrition North Canada (NNC), a federal initiative designed to make nutritious food more accessible and affordable in remote northern communities. We worked closely with provincial and federal governments to highlight the challenges of bringing fresh, affordable foods to market to ensure policy decisions reflect the realities faced by northern communities.
Advocating for Nutritious Food
In FY25, we advanced our advocacy in partnership with Nutrition North Canada (NNC), a federal initiative designed to make nutritious food more accessible and affordable in remote northern communities. We worked closely with provincial and federal governments to highlight the challenges of bringing fresh, affordable foods to market to ensure policy decisions reflect the realities faced by northern communities.
Meaningful Engagement
Our leadership team is dedicated to bringing these commitments into practice, while actively engaging with Indigenous voices to ensure their perspectives are woven into the fabric of our organization. We believe that by doing so, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future, where the contributions of Indigenous communities are acknowledged, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come.
Meaningful Engagement
Our leadership team is dedicated to bringing these commitments into practice, while actively engaging with Indigenous voices to ensure their perspectives are woven into the fabric of our organization. We believe that by doing so, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future, where the contributions of Indigenous communities are acknowledged, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come.
People
We will strive to create an inclusive, nurturing, and safe environment for Indigenous colleagues to thrive – built on respect, support, and opportunities for growth while valuing perspectives and promoting cultural awareness and understanding to all Sysco colleagues. We will strengthen our community engagement to foster understanding and sustainable relationships with Indigenous communities, groups, and partners. By prioritizing these elements, we can create spaces where Indigenous people feel valued and empowered, ultimately contributing to their success and well-being.
People
Building strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities is at the heart of our reconciliation commitments. The Our Path Forward People Pillar demonstrates our commitment to establish an inclusive, supportive, and secure environment where Indigenous colleagues can excel.
Future Horizons
Sysco Canada launched our first Indigenous Recruitment Committee, designed to increase Indigenous representation across all levels of our organization, creating more opportunities for Indigenous colleagues to thrive at Sysco. By forming this dedicated committee, we aim to build stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities and ensure our recruitment processes are inclusive and equitable.
Future Horizons
Sysco Canada launched our first Indigenous Recruitment Committee, designed to increase Indigenous representation across all levels of our organization, creating more opportunities for Indigenous colleagues to thrive at Sysco. By forming this dedicated committee, we aim to build stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities and ensure our recruitment processes are inclusive and equitable.
Supporting Indigenous Food Sovereignty
In FY25, we developed a national community partnership with Second Harvest, focused on supporting Northern communities, where food insecurity is most prevalent and persistent. In FY25, we made our inaugural donation of C$50,000, reflecting our commitment to fostering sustainable food systems and supporting communities in need.
Supporting Indigenous Food Sovereignty
In FY25, we developed a national community partnership with Second Harvest, focused on supporting Northern communities, where food insecurity is most prevalent and persistent. In FY25, we made our inaugural donation of C$50,000, reflecting our commitment to fostering sustainable food systems and supporting communities in need.
Circle Colleague Resource Group
The Circle CRG educates, celebrates diversity, and nourishes a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all colleagues – Indigenous and non-Indigeous. Circle advocates for truth and reconciliation within Sysco Canada.
Circle Colleague Resource Group
The Circle CRG educates, celebrates diversity, and nourishes a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all colleagues – Indigenous and non-Indigeous. Circle advocates for truth and reconciliation within Sysco Canada.
Products
We will support and empower Indigenous businesses by investing resources to cultivate respectful and meaningful relationships. We are committed to offering capacity building and mentorship, fostering an environment where Indigenous enterprises can enhance capabilities, sustain growth, strengthen procurement, and develop future business opportunities. Through collaboration and support, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem that honours and uplifts Indigenous entrepreneurship.
Products
Empowering and sustaining Indigenous businesses through economic reconciliation, capacity-building, and mentorship are fundamental to our growth strategies. The Our Path Forward Product Pillar emphasizes our commitment of resources – both time and money – to the development of relationships with Indigenous-owned businesses that are sustained through mutual respect and development.
Pathways to Procurement
We recognize a diverse and inclusive supply chain is critical to economic prosperity for all Canadians. Not only does it help us better understand and serve our diverse customer base, but it also helps us drive innovation, increase competitiveness, and create more equitable economic opportunities for everyone. In FY25, we proudly developed Pathways to Procurement, an industry approach to strengthening Indigenous procurement within foodservice.
Pathways to Procurement
We recognize a diverse and inclusive supply chain is critical to economic prosperity for all Canadians. Not only does it help us better understand and serve our diverse customer base, but it also helps us drive innovation, increase competitiveness, and create more equitable economic opportunities for everyone. In FY25, we proudly developed Pathways to Procurement, an industry approach to strengthening Indigenous procurement within foodservice.
Fostering Indigenous Customer Growth and Prosperity
To effectively address the unique needs of Indigenous customers and communities, Sysco Canada recognized the critical importance of establishing the role of regional Indigenous Relations Managers (IRMs) in each of our four operating regions – BC, Prairies, Ontario, and Eastern. IRMs are pivotal in engaging with Indigenous communities and businesses to develop sustained, two-way relationships and co-design strategies so our work aligns with Indigenous-defined priorities.
Fostering Indigenous Customer Growth and Prosperity
To effectively address the unique needs of Indigenous customers and communities, Sysco Canada recognized the critical importance of establishing the role of regional Indigenous Relations Managers (IRMs) in each of our four operating regions – BC, Prairies, Ontario, and Eastern. IRMs are pivotal in engaging with Indigenous communities and businesses to develop sustained, two-way relationships and co-design strategies so our work aligns with Indigenous-defined priorities.
Our Path Forward: Artist Acknowledgement
Sysco Canada has partnered with Storm Angeconeb, a self-taught Indigenous artist and member of Lac Seul First Nation, Treaty Three Territory, to develop designs for Our Path Forward. Storm’s creations echo the landscapes and ancestral stories that shape her identity. Many of her works include animals and birds as representations of herself or those close to her, sharing her journey and stories through her art.
You can learn more about Storm and her artwork by visiting her website: stormangeconeb.com
Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations™ (PAIR)
Sysco Canada is proud to be in the Committed phase of the PAIR program.
Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations™ (PAIR)
Sysco Canada is proud to be in the Committed phase of the PAIR program.