PepsiCo is committed to purchasing from a supplier base representative of our employees, consumers, retail customers, and communities. Developing partnerships with diverse suppliers helps us build the world-class supplier base we need to succeed by creating mutually beneficial relationships that expand PepsiCo's sphere of activity. Our approach helps to build community infrastructure by providing employment and training while creating role models and promoting buying from other diverse-owned businesses.
In 2019, we spent approximately $1.4 billion USD with diverse suppliers in the United States1. This includes Tier 2 spend reported by non-diverse suppliers, which demonstrates PepsiCo's commitment to expanding engagement of diverse suppliers in our supply chain. Beginning in 2017, we broadened our supplier diversity program to include LGBT, Veteran, and Disabled-owned enterprises.
Since we started our Supplier Diversity program more than 35 years ago, we have spent upwards of $26.4 billion USD with diverse suppliers, and we are proud to say that we utilize diverse suppliers in virtually all areas of our company. To learn more, please visit www.pepsico.com/sdregistration.
1The PepsiCo Supplier Diversity program defines a diverse supplier as an entity that is at least 51% owned, operated, and managed by an individual or individuals from one or more of the following groups: ethnic minority, women, U.S. veterans/service-disabled veterans/veteran - disabled, LGBT+, and people with disabilities.