GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Food Manufacturing Industry Statistics

Diversity boost profits; industry struggles with inclusive representation and policies.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Only 10% of food manufacturing companies have diversity and inclusion officers or dedicated teams

Statistic 2

58% of food manufacturing plants have implemented flexible working hours to promote equity

Statistic 3

71% of food manufacturing organizations recognize the need for DEI training, but only 35% have fully implemented comprehensive programs

Statistic 4

28% of food manufacturing companies have diversity and inclusion as a formal KPI for leadership evaluation

Statistic 5

31% of food manufacturing companies have policies specifically aimed at promoting DEI

Statistic 6

63% of food manufacturing staff report awareness of diversity policies but only 25% feel they are effectively implemented

Statistic 7

Educational programs aimed at increasing DEI awareness in food manufacturing have reached only 18% of the industry workforce

Statistic 8

36% of food manufacturing companies report a lack of understanding of how to implement effective DEI policies

Statistic 9

Overall, 53% of employees in food manufacturing believe their organization is making progress on diversity, but only 17% see significant change

Statistic 10

54% of managers in food manufacturing believe that diversity training alone is insufficient without accountability measures

Statistic 11

Only 7% of food manufacturing companies have fully integrated DEI metrics into executive compensation plans

Statistic 12

60% of food companies are exploring AI-driven tools to enhance DEI initiatives

Statistic 13

Only 11% of food industry survey respondents feel their DEI efforts are adequately funded

Statistic 14

29% of food manufacturing firms actively measure the impact of their DEI initiatives on business metrics

Statistic 15

35% of food industry organizations have responded to DEI deficiencies by revising hiring practices

Statistic 16

Companies with diverse leadership are 21% more likely to outperform their competitors

Statistic 17

Food manufacturing companies with active DEI programs see 19% higher employee retention rates

Statistic 18

31% of food manufacturing firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs

Statistic 19

40% of the food manufacturing workforce is between the ages of 25 and 34, indicating a relatively young workforce

Statistic 20

15% of food manufacturing companies track diversity metrics regularly

Statistic 21

33% of food manufacturing companies have DEI as a core part of their corporate strategy

Statistic 22

In a survey, 70% of minority workers in food manufacturing expressed a desire for better inclusion and representation

Statistic 23

Companies with more diverse boards have 43% higher likelihood of innovation

Statistic 24

53% of women in food manufacturing believe they face gender-based barriers to advancement

Statistic 25

Only 13% of food manufacturing firms actively seek to increase representation of underrepresented groups

Statistic 26

35% of food industry leaders consider DEI initiatives a priority for their corporate social responsibility efforts

Statistic 27

Only 12% of natural food companies prioritize DEI at the core of their business strategy

Statistic 28

24% of senior leadership in food companies are actively involved in DEI initiatives

Statistic 29

69% of food manufacturing managers see diversity as essential to company innovation

Statistic 30

57% of food manufacturing HR managers report difficulty in recruiting diverse talent

Statistic 31

66% of food manufacturing firms have set diversity objectives for the next five years

Statistic 32

45% of food manufacturing companies offer targeted DEI training for managerial staff

Statistic 33

44% of food manufacturing HR leaders say they plan to increase investment in DEI initiatives over the coming year

Statistic 34

23% of food manufacturing companies have established specific targets for increasing diversity within their supply chain

Statistic 35

83% of industry leaders believe that DEI contributes to better decision-making

Statistic 36

About 30% of food manufacturing businesses actively participate in DEI forums and industry alliances

Statistic 37

69% of food manufacturing companies report a positive correlation between diversity initiatives and innovation outcomes

Statistic 38

52% of food manufacturing companies have implemented DEI-focused employee resource groups

Statistic 39

78% of HR managers in food manufacturing agree that increasing diversity improves company resilience

Statistic 40

42% of food manufacturing employees feel their workplace lacks diversity

Statistic 41

68% of food industry employees believe their organization could do more to promote DEI initiatives

Statistic 42

55% of surveyed food manufacturing employees report witnessing or experiencing discrimination in the past year

Statistic 43

26% of food manufacturing employees say they have faced language barriers at work

Statistic 44

60% of women in food manufacturing report experiencing gender bias or discrimination

Statistic 45

Minoritized groups report lower job satisfaction scores, averaging 15 points below their counterparts

Statistic 46

Millennials and Gen Z employees are 45% more likely to prioritize diversity in their employment choices

Statistic 47

48% of food manufacturing employees believe that leadership is not sufficiently diverse

Statistic 48

65% of companies see improved teamwork and collaboration after implementing DEI initiatives

Statistic 49

64% of minority employees report feeling excluded from social activities at work

Statistic 50

44% of respondents in food manufacturing industry believe DEI initiatives positively impact business performance

Statistic 51

52% of employees in food manufacturing believe their companies need to do more to support marginalized groups

Statistic 52

About 30% of food manufacturing companies conduct annual DEI climate assessments

Statistic 53

41% of food manufacturing workers believe their companies should improve DEI training programs

Statistic 54

70% of underrepresented groups in food manufacturing report feeling they lack mentorship opportunities

Statistic 55

80% of food manufacturing companies agree that diversity improves employee satisfaction

Statistic 56

72% of underrepresented employees in food manufacturing feel they are not sufficiently recognized

Statistic 57

46% of food manufacturing employees feel that their workplaces lack inclusive communication practices

Statistic 58

29% of food manufacturing workers have experienced or witnessed bias related to age at work

Statistic 59

62% of new employees from underrepresented groups leave within the first year due to lack of inclusion

Statistic 60

Employees from marginalized groups report higher levels of workplace stress—up to 22% more than their peers

Statistic 61

81% of food manufacturing companies believe that implementing DEI improves their brand image

Statistic 62

67% of food manufacturing workers indicate that inclusive policies impact their job satisfaction positively

Statistic 63

74% of food manufacturing employees from underrepresented groups feel they face a glass ceiling

Statistic 64

41% of food manufacturing workers from minority groups rate their experiences with workplace inclusion as poor

Statistic 65

50% of food manufacturing managers believe their current DEI initiatives are sufficient, but employee surveys suggest otherwise

Statistic 66

Women hold approximately 25% of leadership roles in the food manufacturing industry

Statistic 67

Only 20% of executive roles in food manufacturing are held by women

Statistic 68

Women comprise approximately 28% of the managerial roles in food manufacturing

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Minority workers comprise around 35% of the food manufacturing workforce

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Companies with high racial and ethnic diversity are 33% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians

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47% of ethnic minority employees in food manufacturing feel they lack opportunities for advancement

Statistic 72

The representation of Hispanic/Latino workers in food manufacturing is about 18%

Statistic 73

22% of employees in food manufacturing reported hearing racial slurs or derogatory language at work

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Racial diversity among food manufacturing supervisors is approximately 27%

Statistic 75

Census data shows Black and Hispanic workers combined constitute roughly 22% of the industry workforce

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The median earnings of minority women in food manufacturing are approximately 75% of their white male counterparts

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The percentage of food manufacturing firms offering affinity groups for marginalized communities is 15%

Statistic 78

Only 14% of new hires in food manufacturing come from diverse backgrounds, indicating barriers to entry

Statistic 79

Racial minorities in leadership roles are underrepresented, making up about 17% of senior management

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38% of food manufacturing companies have partnerships with diverse supplier networks to promote equity

Statistic 81

66% of leadership roles filled by women in food manufacturing are held by women of color

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Key Highlights

Companies with diverse leadership are 21% more likely to outperform their competitors
42% of food manufacturing employees feel their workplace lacks diversity
Women hold approximately 25% of leadership roles in the food manufacturing industry
Minority workers comprise around 35% of the food manufacturing workforce
Companies with high racial and ethnic diversity are 33% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians
Only 20% of executive roles in food manufacturing are held by women
68% of food industry employees believe their organization could do more to promote DEI initiatives
55% of surveyed food manufacturing employees report witnessing or experiencing discrimination in the past year
Food manufacturing companies with active DEI programs see 19% higher employee retention rates
47% of ethnic minority employees in food manufacturing feel they lack opportunities for advancement
31% of food manufacturing firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
The representation of Hispanic/Latino workers in food manufacturing is about 18%
40% of the food manufacturing workforce is between the ages of 25 and 34, indicating a relatively young workforce

Despite compelling evidence that diverse leadership drives innovation and profitability, the food manufacturing industry continues to grapple with significant challenges in achieving meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion, as only a fraction of companies have comprehensive DEI initiatives in place despite widespread employee recognition of room for improvement.

Company Policies and Measurement Initiatives

Only 10% of food manufacturing companies have diversity and inclusion officers or dedicated teams
58% of food manufacturing plants have implemented flexible working hours to promote equity
71% of food manufacturing organizations recognize the need for DEI training, but only 35% have fully implemented comprehensive programs
28% of food manufacturing companies have diversity and inclusion as a formal KPI for leadership evaluation
31% of food manufacturing companies have policies specifically aimed at promoting DEI
63% of food manufacturing staff report awareness of diversity policies but only 25% feel they are effectively implemented
Educational programs aimed at increasing DEI awareness in food manufacturing have reached only 18% of the industry workforce
36% of food manufacturing companies report a lack of understanding of how to implement effective DEI policies
Overall, 53% of employees in food manufacturing believe their organization is making progress on diversity, but only 17% see significant change
54% of managers in food manufacturing believe that diversity training alone is insufficient without accountability measures
Only 7% of food manufacturing companies have fully integrated DEI metrics into executive compensation plans
60% of food companies are exploring AI-driven tools to enhance DEI initiatives
Only 11% of food industry survey respondents feel their DEI efforts are adequately funded
29% of food manufacturing firms actively measure the impact of their DEI initiatives on business metrics
35% of food industry organizations have responded to DEI deficiencies by revising hiring practices

Company Policies and Measurement Initiatives Interpretation

Despite over half of food manufacturing employees perceiving progress on diversity, a mere 10% boast dedicated DEI officers, and with only 7% integrating DEI metrics into executive pay, it's clear that the industry's efforts are more about checking boxes than baking genuine inclusion into its core recipe.

Diversity in Leadership and Workforce Representation

Companies with diverse leadership are 21% more likely to outperform their competitors
Food manufacturing companies with active DEI programs see 19% higher employee retention rates
31% of food manufacturing firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
40% of the food manufacturing workforce is between the ages of 25 and 34, indicating a relatively young workforce
15% of food manufacturing companies track diversity metrics regularly
33% of food manufacturing companies have DEI as a core part of their corporate strategy
In a survey, 70% of minority workers in food manufacturing expressed a desire for better inclusion and representation
Companies with more diverse boards have 43% higher likelihood of innovation
53% of women in food manufacturing believe they face gender-based barriers to advancement
Only 13% of food manufacturing firms actively seek to increase representation of underrepresented groups
35% of food industry leaders consider DEI initiatives a priority for their corporate social responsibility efforts
Only 12% of natural food companies prioritize DEI at the core of their business strategy
24% of senior leadership in food companies are actively involved in DEI initiatives
69% of food manufacturing managers see diversity as essential to company innovation
57% of food manufacturing HR managers report difficulty in recruiting diverse talent
66% of food manufacturing firms have set diversity objectives for the next five years
45% of food manufacturing companies offer targeted DEI training for managerial staff
44% of food manufacturing HR leaders say they plan to increase investment in DEI initiatives over the coming year
23% of food manufacturing companies have established specific targets for increasing diversity within their supply chain
83% of industry leaders believe that DEI contributes to better decision-making
About 30% of food manufacturing businesses actively participate in DEI forums and industry alliances
69% of food manufacturing companies report a positive correlation between diversity initiatives and innovation outcomes
52% of food manufacturing companies have implemented DEI-focused employee resource groups
78% of HR managers in food manufacturing agree that increasing diversity improves company resilience

Diversity in Leadership and Workforce Representation Interpretation

While over two-thirds of food manufacturing leaders acknowledge that diversity fuels innovation and resilience, the stark reality remains that only a fraction actively pursue comprehensive DEI strategies, highlighting a glaring gap between belief and action in cultivating an inclusive industry standard.

Employee Sentiments and Perceptions

42% of food manufacturing employees feel their workplace lacks diversity
68% of food industry employees believe their organization could do more to promote DEI initiatives
55% of surveyed food manufacturing employees report witnessing or experiencing discrimination in the past year
26% of food manufacturing employees say they have faced language barriers at work
60% of women in food manufacturing report experiencing gender bias or discrimination
Minoritized groups report lower job satisfaction scores, averaging 15 points below their counterparts
Millennials and Gen Z employees are 45% more likely to prioritize diversity in their employment choices
48% of food manufacturing employees believe that leadership is not sufficiently diverse
65% of companies see improved teamwork and collaboration after implementing DEI initiatives
64% of minority employees report feeling excluded from social activities at work
44% of respondents in food manufacturing industry believe DEI initiatives positively impact business performance
52% of employees in food manufacturing believe their companies need to do more to support marginalized groups
About 30% of food manufacturing companies conduct annual DEI climate assessments
41% of food manufacturing workers believe their companies should improve DEI training programs
70% of underrepresented groups in food manufacturing report feeling they lack mentorship opportunities
80% of food manufacturing companies agree that diversity improves employee satisfaction
72% of underrepresented employees in food manufacturing feel they are not sufficiently recognized
46% of food manufacturing employees feel that their workplaces lack inclusive communication practices
29% of food manufacturing workers have experienced or witnessed bias related to age at work
62% of new employees from underrepresented groups leave within the first year due to lack of inclusion
Employees from marginalized groups report higher levels of workplace stress—up to 22% more than their peers
81% of food manufacturing companies believe that implementing DEI improves their brand image
67% of food manufacturing workers indicate that inclusive policies impact their job satisfaction positively
74% of food manufacturing employees from underrepresented groups feel they face a glass ceiling
41% of food manufacturing workers from minority groups rate their experiences with workplace inclusion as poor
50% of food manufacturing managers believe their current DEI initiatives are sufficient, but employee surveys suggest otherwise

Employee Sentiments and Perceptions Interpretation

Despite nearly two-thirds recognizing that DEI efforts enhance teamwork and company image, over 40% of food manufacturing employees still perceive their workplaces as lacking genuine diversity and inclusion, revealing a significant gap between leadership perceptions and employee experiences that risks undermining morale and innovation in an industry craving fresh perspectives.

Gender Diversity in Leadership Roles

Women hold approximately 25% of leadership roles in the food manufacturing industry
Only 20% of executive roles in food manufacturing are held by women
Women comprise approximately 28% of the managerial roles in food manufacturing

Gender Diversity in Leadership Roles Interpretation

While women are making strides in food manufacturing management roles, their underrepresentation in executive positions highlights that the industry still has a plate to serve in achieving genuine gender equity at the leadership table.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity Metrics

Minority workers comprise around 35% of the food manufacturing workforce
Companies with high racial and ethnic diversity are 33% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians
47% of ethnic minority employees in food manufacturing feel they lack opportunities for advancement
The representation of Hispanic/Latino workers in food manufacturing is about 18%
22% of employees in food manufacturing reported hearing racial slurs or derogatory language at work
Racial diversity among food manufacturing supervisors is approximately 27%
Census data shows Black and Hispanic workers combined constitute roughly 22% of the industry workforce
The median earnings of minority women in food manufacturing are approximately 75% of their white male counterparts
The percentage of food manufacturing firms offering affinity groups for marginalized communities is 15%
Only 14% of new hires in food manufacturing come from diverse backgrounds, indicating barriers to entry
Racial minorities in leadership roles are underrepresented, making up about 17% of senior management
38% of food manufacturing companies have partnerships with diverse supplier networks to promote equity
66% of leadership roles filled by women in food manufacturing are held by women of color

Racial and Ethnic Diversity Metrics Interpretation

While minorities constitute 35% of the food manufacturing workforce and diverse companies enjoy significantly higher financial returns, persistent gaps in representation, opportunity, and inclusion—such as only 14% of new hires being from diverse backgrounds and women of color holding just 66% of leadership roles—highlight that the industry still has miles to go before it truly tastes the fruits of equitable diversity.