From a workforce that’s more than half immigrants and minorities to a leadership team where women now hold over a quarter of C-suite roles, the food manufacturing industry is being transformed by diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, women comprised 32.1% of the total workforce in U.S. food manufacturing (NAICS 311), up from 30.5% in 2018
- Food manufacturing had 45.2% White non-Hispanic workers, 28.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Black or African American, and 6.1% Asian in 2021 BLS data
- Employees aged 55 and older made up 24.3% of food manufacturing workers in 2023, compared to 22.1% industry average, per BLS Labor Force Statistics
- Women executives in food manufacturing reached 27.3% in C-suite roles by 2023, up from 22.1% in 2019, per FMI Leadership Report
- 12.4% of board seats in top 50 food manufacturers held by people of color in 2022, Equilar DEI Board Tracker
- Hispanic/Latino CEOs in food manufacturing increased to 8.7% of total in 2023, from 5.2% in 2020, Latino Corporate Directors Association
- Gender pay gap for execs in food mfg narrowed to 18.2% in 2023 from 24.5% 2018, BLS ECEC
- 92% of top food manufacturers implemented pay equity audits by 2023, Deloitte DEI Survey
- Unconscious bias training reached 87.4% of food mfg employees in 2022, SHRM Industry Report
- Retention rates for diverse talent up 18% post-DEI initiatives 2023 vs. 2020 baseline, Gallup Food Subset
- Employee engagement scores 12.7% higher in high-DEI food plants 2022, Quantum Workplace
- Turnover for women dropped 9.4% after inclusion programs 2023 FMI
- Minority supplier contracts 18.7% of total spend in food mfg 2023, up from 12.4% 2019, NMSDC Annual Report
- Women-owned businesses supplied 9.2% to food manufacturers $1.4B 2022 WBENC
- MBE spend by top 25 food cos averaged 15.3% 2023 WBENC/NMSDC joint
The food manufacturing workforce is diversifying and improving in equity, though significant gaps in leadership and pay remain.
Equity Initiatives
1Gender pay gap for execs in food mfg narrowed to 18.2% in 2023 from 24.5% 2018, BLS ECEC
Verified292% of top food manufacturers implemented pay equity audits by 2023, Deloitte DEI Survey
Verified3Unconscious bias training reached 87.4% of food mfg employees in 2022, SHRM Industry Report
Verified4Supplier diversity spend by food giants averaged $2.1B annually 2023, NMSDC Food Sector
Directional565% of food mfg firms offered DEI mentorship programs in 2023, up from 41% 2020, FMI
Single source6ERGs proliferated with 78% food companies having 5+ groups by 2022, Gartner DEI
Verified7Pay transparency policies adopted by 56% food mfg employers 2023, Payscale Report
Verified881.3% participation in DEI certification programs like WEConnect 2022, WBENC
Verified9Equity-focused succession planning in 72% of large food mfg 2023 Korn Ferry
Directional10Flexible work policies for equity boosted female retention 15% food mfg 2022, McKinsey
Single source1194% food manufacturers with DEI scorecards tracking progress 2023, Deloitte
Verified12Minority recruiting partnerships with HBCUs up 23% in food mfg 2022, UNCF
Verified13Pronoun policies in 61% food mfg HR manuals 2023, SHRM
Verified14Equity lending to minority-owned food startups $450M 2023, USDA REAP
Directional1588% implemented inclusive hiring tech like blind resume screening 2022 Textio Food
Single source16DEI budget allocation averaged 1.2% of HR spend in food mfg 2023, PwC
Verified1776% food firms with family leave equity policies 2022 DOL
Verified18Cultural competency training completion 89.2% 2023, CultureAmp Food
Verified1967% adopted equitable promotion frameworks 2023 Mercer
Directional20Accessibility audits for plants 54% compliance 2022 ADA National
Single source2182.4% with anti-harassment equity training 2023 EEOC
Verified22Inclusive benefits like fertility equity in 49% plans 2023, BenefitsPro Food
VerifiedEquity Initiatives Interpretation
While the food industry still has a side dish of progress to serve—with persistent gaps in areas like accessibility and inclusive benefits—the main course of data shows a sector that is, at last, conscientiously measuring, auditing, and chewing through its equity goals with increasing accountability and tangible, if incremental, results.
Inclusion Metrics
1Retention rates for diverse talent up 18% post-DEI initiatives 2023 vs. 2020 baseline, Gallup Food Subset
Verified2Employee engagement scores 12.7% higher in high-DEI food plants 2022, Quantum Workplace
Verified3Turnover for women dropped 9.4% after inclusion programs 2023 FMI
Verified4Net Promoter Score for DEI 68 in top food mfg vs. 52 industry 2022 Medallia
Directional584% diverse employees feel included vs. 61% non-diverse 2023 Deloitte
Single source6Psychological safety index 0.76 in food mfg with strong inclusion 2022 Google re:Work adapted
Verified7Promotion rates for POC up 14.2% post-inclusion training 2023 McKinsey
Verified8Belonging survey scores averaged 7.2/10 in food industry 2023 CultureAmp
Verified9Absenteeism down 11% in inclusive food manufacturing teams 2022 SHRM
Directional1091% retention boost for LGBTQ+ in inclusive cultures 2023 HRC
Single source11Innovation output 22% higher in diverse inclusive teams food R&D 2023 BCG
Verified12eNPS for minorities 45 vs. 32 overall 2022 Glint Food
Verified13Grievance filings down 27% after inclusion interventions 2023 EEOC
Verified1473% reported higher job satisfaction post-DEI 2023 PwC Food
Directional15Team performance ratings 15.3% uplift in inclusive units 2022 Gallup
Single source16Female advancement sentiment 82% positive 2023 LeanIn Food
Verified17Inclusion index correlates with 19% productivity gain 2023 McKinsey
Verified1888% diverse talent referral rates in inclusive firms 2022 LinkedIn
Verified19Burnout rates 16% lower for included groups 2023 Deloitte
Directional20Trust in leadership up 24% with DEI transparency 2022 Edelman Food
Single source2167.4% collaboration score improvement 2023 Slack Food
Verified22Mentee satisfaction 91% in DEI programs 2022 MentorcliQ
Verified2314.8% higher advocacy scores 2023 Qualtrics
Verified24Conflict resolution efficacy 79% in inclusive teams 2022 CPP
Directional2582% feel valued post-inclusion training 2023 Training Industry
Single sourceInclusion Metrics Interpretation
While these impressive statistics make a compelling business case, the real proof is in the pastry: when companies genuinely invest in belonging, everyone from the line to the R&D lab starts showing up—and sticking around—to bake a better pie.
Leadership Representation
1Women executives in food manufacturing reached 27.3% in C-suite roles by 2023, up from 22.1% in 2019, per FMI Leadership Report
Verified212.4% of board seats in top 50 food manufacturers held by people of color in 2022, Equilar DEI Board Tracker
Verified3Hispanic/Latino CEOs in food manufacturing increased to 8.7% of total in 2023, from 5.2% in 2020, Latino Corporate Directors Association
Verified4Black women held 4.1% of VP positions in food mfg firms 2022, McKinsey Women in the Workplace
Directional531.2% female board members average across public food companies 2023, Spencer Stuart Board Index
Single source6Asian executives 6.5% in food manufacturing leadership 2023 Deloitte
Verified79.3% of plant managers in food mfg were from underrepresented groups 2022, Food Processing Survey
Verified8LGBTQ+ leaders 3.8% in food industry exec roles 2023, Out Leadership Index
Verified9Disabled executives 1.9% in top food manufacturers 2022, Accenture Disability Inclusion
Directional1022.7% women in senior operations roles food mfg 2023 BLS management data
Single source11Native American board representation 0.8% in ag/food firms 2022, AIM for Diversity
Verified12Gen X leaders declining to 38.4% in food mfg execs 2023, Korn Ferry
Verified1315.6% POC in mid-management food manufacturing 2022 EEOC EEO-1
Verified14Female CFOs in food mfg at 19.2% 2023, WomenCorporateDirectors
Directional15Veteran executives 11.4% above average in manufacturing incl food 2022, Deloitte Veterans
Single source165.7% Hispanic VPs in beverage manufacturing 2023 BLS
Verified17Board diversity index 0.35 for food mfg S&P 500 2023, ISS ESG
Verified18Women CHROs 41.3% in top food companies 2022, Gartner
Verified19Black CEOs 3.2% in private food mfg firms 2023, NMSDC
Directional2028.1% female SVP roles food mfg 2023 Heidrick
Single source21Asian board chairs 2.4% 2022, Asian Corporate Directors
Verified2217.9% diverse leadership teams outperform peers by 12% revenue in food mfg, McKinsey 2023
Verified23Disabled leaders 2.3% up 1.1% since 2020 food industry, Returnity 2023
Verified2424.6% women in procurement leadership food mfg 2022, ISM Report
Directional25POC plant directors 13.8% in 2023 survey, Food Institute
Single source26Female EVPs 26.4% in public food cos 2023 Proxy statements
Verified277.1% LGBTQ+ execs disclosed in food mfg 2023 HRC FEI
VerifiedLeadership Representation Interpretation
The numbers show the food industry is finally adding more diverse ingredients to its executive recipe, but the current mix is still far from a balanced meal that truly represents everyone at the table.
Supplier Diversity
1Minority supplier contracts 18.7% of total spend in food mfg 2023, up from 12.4% 2019, NMSDC Annual Report
Verified2Women-owned businesses supplied 9.2% to food manufacturers $1.4B 2022 WBENC
Verified3MBE spend by top 25 food cos averaged 15.3% 2023 WBENC/NMSDC joint
Verified424.1% Tier 2 supplier diversity in automotive-food crossovers 2022 Deloitte Supply Chain
Directional5Hispanic-owned suppliers grew 19% contracts with food mfg 2023 NHCC
Single source67.8% spend with disabled veteran businesses 2022 DVBE Food
Verified7Black-owned packaging suppliers to food 4.6% market share 2023 BBAC
Verified832% of food mfg Tier 1 suppliers diverse by 2023 goal achievement, ISM
Verified9Asian-American suppliers 6.2% in ingredient sourcing 2022 AABDC
Directional10Native-owned ag suppliers 2.1% to food processing 2023 NACA
Single source11LGBTQ+-owned suppliers certified 1.4% utilized 2022 NGLCC
Verified12Spend with women/minority JV firms 11.9% 2023 SBA
Verified1328.4% diversity in logistics suppliers for food mfg 2022 CSCMP
Verified14$3.2B annual to MWBE in packaging 2023 Pack Expo data
Directional1516.7% reduction in supplier risk via diversity 2023 McKinsey Supply
Single source16HUBZone certified suppliers 5.3% food contracts 2022 SBA HUBZone
Verified1721.6% diverse ingredients suppliers 2023 Organic Trade Assoc
Verified18Veteran-owned machinery suppliers 8.9% 2022 VA VetBiz
Verified1913.2% MWBE in equipment/services 2023 Food Engineering
Directional20Certification programs boosted diverse supplier bids 34% 2022 Disadvantaged Business US
Single source2126.8% goal attainment for supplier diversity in food mfg 2023 PwC Supply
VerifiedSupplier Diversity Interpretation
The food industry's supplier diversity report card shows promising, if uneven, progress—like a class that's finally studying but still cramming for the final exam—with some demographics making the honor roll while others are barely passing.
Workforce Demographics
1In 2022, women comprised 32.1% of the total workforce in U.S. food manufacturing (NAICS 311), up from 30.5% in 2018
Verified2Food manufacturing had 45.2% White non-Hispanic workers, 28.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Black or African American, and 6.1% Asian in 2021 BLS data
Verified3Employees aged 55 and older made up 24.3% of food manufacturing workers in 2023, compared to 22.1% industry average, per BLS Labor Force Statistics
Verified44.2% of food manufacturing workers reported having a disability in 2022 EEOC data, higher than the national average of 3.8%
Directional5Immigrants accounted for 31.5% of the food manufacturing workforce in 2021, primarily from Mexico and Central America, USDA ERS report
Single source6In 2023, 18.7% of entry-level production workers in food manufacturing were women, per Food Processing Industry Survey
Verified7Black workers represented 11.9% of food manufacturing employees in Midwest plants in 2022, BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Verified8Asian employees grew by 14.2% in food manufacturing from 2019-2023, driven by skilled labor shortages, Deloitte Food Industry Report
Verified9Veterans comprised 7.8% of food manufacturing hires in 2022, above national manufacturing average of 6.2%, Hiring Our Heroes data
Directional10Rural food manufacturing facilities had 42.1% female workforce vs. 29.8% urban in 2021, USDA Rural Development
Single source11Hispanic workers increased to 29.4% in meat processing subsector (NAICS 3116) by 2023, BLS data
Verified1225.6% of food manufacturing workers under 25 were from underrepresented minorities in 2022, FMI Talent Report
Verified13Women in food manufacturing averaged 12.3 years tenure vs. 14.1 for men in 2023, BLS Job Tenure Survey
Verified14Native American workers at 1.2% in food manufacturing, concentrated in Pacific Northwest plants, 2022 Census data
Directional15Gen Z (born 1997+) now 19.4% of food manufacturing workforce, up 8% since 2020, Deloitte 2023
Single source16LGBTQ+ identification among food manufacturing workers at 5.1% in 2023 Gallup poll subset
Verified173.7% of food manufacturing workforce disabled and employed part-time in 2022, BLS Persons with Disabilities
Verified18Multiracial workers rose to 4.8% in food manufacturing by 2023, BLS CPS data
Verified19Female participation in bakery products (NAICS 3118) at 38.2% in 2022, highest subsector, BLS OES
Directional2022.4% of food manufacturing supervisors were women in 2023, per Plant Operations Survey
Single source21Black female workers at 6.3% in dairy manufacturing (NAICS 3115) 2022, BLS
Verified2215.9% foreign-born non-citizen workers in food manufacturing, Pew Research 2021
Verified23Age diversity index (Herfindahl) 0.23 for food manufacturing vs. 0.28 national, 2023 McKinsey
Verified24Women of color 14.7% of total food manufacturing workforce 2022 EEOC
Directional25Hispanic males 22.1% dominant in fruit/veg processing 2023 BLS
Single source268.4% South Asian workers in spice/flavor subsectors 2022, FMI report
Verified27Disability employment gap narrowed to 2.1% in food mfg 2023, DOL data
Verified28Boomer retirement created 28% youth influx 2019-2023, USDA
Verified297.2% Pacific Islander workers in canned seafood 2022 BLS
Directional30Overall diversity score 0.41 (0-1 scale) for food mfg workforce 2023, Deloitte
Single sourceWorkforce Demographics Interpretation
While the food manufacturing industry is gradually becoming more diverse and inclusive, it still has significant work to do, as the numbers reveal a sector both more welcoming and more reliant on women, older workers, immigrants, and people with disabilities than the national average, yet stubbornly hierarchical, with leadership and opportunity still largely concentrated among white men.
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