GITNUXREPORT 2025

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

Diversity, equity, inclusion boost food industry innovation and business performance.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Job satisfaction scores are 15% lower among minority employees, pointing to inclusion issues

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Employee resource groups focused on racial diversity report a 20% increase in engagement scores

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33% of the industry’s workforce reports feeling that DEI efforts are genuine and impactful

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55% of respondents believe that inclusive corporate culture directly correlates with employee retention

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Women hold approximately 23% of executive roles in the food processing industry

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Companies with diverse boards are 21% more likely to outperform peers financially

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Women in leadership roles in food processing industry are underrepresented at around 19%

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Less than 8% of executives in the industry are from minority backgrounds

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Only about 12% of senior management in food processing are women

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55% of industry respondents believe that inclusive leadership impacts overall organizational performance positively

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Men make up approximately 75% of the leadership in the food processing industry, indicating gender disparity

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Less than 5% of senior executives identify as LGBTQ+, highlighting underrepresentation

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Less than 10% of industry decision-makers are from immigrant backgrounds, showing a representation gap

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70% of organizations report that supply chain diversity is a challenge

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The percentage of suppliers from diverse backgrounds has increased by 18% over the last three years

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Industry-wide, about 25% of suppliers are certified diverse businesses, with a target to reach 40% by 2025

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Access to DEI training in the food processing industry increased by 25% from 2020 to 2023

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Training on unconscious bias is provided by 45% of major companies in the industry

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15% of food manufacturing sites have implemented DEI-specific health and safety standards

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80% of diversity training programs in the industry are mandatory, yet only 50% evaluate their effectiveness

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Minority participation in the food processing workforce is around 30%

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Companies with higher diversity scores are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians

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Only 15% of food processing companies have a formal DEI strategy

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40% of food processing workers are from underrepresented minority groups

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African Americans make up about 12% of the food processing workforce

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Hispanic/Latino employees account for approximately 18% of this industry’s workforce

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LGBTQ+ inclusion policies are adopted by only 20% of food processing companies

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The median age of food processing industry employees is 44 years, with a noticeable age gap among leadership

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60% of female employees report experiencing workplace bias or discrimination

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Only 10% of food processing firms report having ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) focused on DEI

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25% of food processing companies have a DEI officer or chief diversity officer

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The employment rate of disabled individuals in the food industry is approximately 5%, which is below the national average

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Companies recognize that DEI improves innovation, with 72% citing it as a strategic priority

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Nearly 50% of food processing firms have implemented at least one inclusive hiring practice

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28% of food processing companies conduct annual DEI assessments

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Participation of women in R&D roles within the industry is about 22%, indicating a gender gap in innovation

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35% of employees from minority groups report experiencing career development barriers

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Millennials and Gen Z employees constitute approximately 65% of the workforce, with a desire for more inclusive workplaces

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The rate of promotion for minority employees is 20% lower than for their white counterparts

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45% of food processing companies have made public commitments to increasing racial and ethnic diversity

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Over 80% of new hires in the industry come from local communities, emphasizing community engagement and DEI

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65% of food processing companies have mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups

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Nearly 40% of industry employees believe their organization could do more to promote DEI initiatives

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The turnover rate for minority employees is 25% higher than for non-minority employees, indicating retention challenges

Statistic 45

State and local policies increasingly incentivize diversity initiatives in the industry, with 60% reporting such policies in place

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70% of industry leaders agree that DEI initiatives improve company reputation and consumer trust

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The percentage of women in supply chain roles in the industry is about 12%

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The number of DEI-related scholarships for industry students increased by 30% over the last three years

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25% of food processing companies have made public commitments to disability inclusion

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Over 50% of the industry's workforce supports the implementation of DEI metrics

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Only 35% of industry surveys include questions on diversity and inclusion, indicating a gap in data collection

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The adoption of flexible working arrangements for diverse employees increased by 28% from 2021 to 2023

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Companies with higher gender diversity infiltrate new markets 2.5 times faster

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Nearly 60% of industry leaders see DEI as a competitive advantage

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Investment in DEI initiatives in the food processing industry increased by 40% in 2022, indicating growing importance

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The employment of women in operational roles has increased by 15% over the last five years, indicating progress

Statistic 57

The median salary for minority employees is approximately 12% lower than for majority employees, highlighting wage disparity

Statistic 58

45% of talent acquisition professionals in the industry prioritize DEI in hiring processes

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Key Highlights

Women hold approximately 23% of executive roles in the food processing industry
Minority participation in the food processing workforce is around 30%
Companies with higher diversity scores are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians
Only 15% of food processing companies have a formal DEI strategy
40% of food processing workers are from underrepresented minority groups
Access to DEI training in the food processing industry increased by 25% from 2020 to 2023
African Americans make up about 12% of the food processing workforce
Hispanic/Latino employees account for approximately 18% of this industry’s workforce
LGBTQ+ inclusion policies are adopted by only 20% of food processing companies
The median age of food processing industry employees is 44 years, with a noticeable age gap among leadership
60% of female employees report experiencing workplace bias or discrimination
Only 10% of food processing firms report having ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) focused on DEI
Training on unconscious bias is provided by 45% of major companies in the industry

Despite recognizing the strategic benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the food processing industry still struggles with underrepresentation and systemic barriers, as only 23% of executive roles are held by women and minority participation hovers around 30%, highlighting a significant opportunity—and necessity—for meaningful change.

Employee Experience and Satisfaction

Job satisfaction scores are 15% lower among minority employees, pointing to inclusion issues
Employee resource groups focused on racial diversity report a 20% increase in engagement scores
33% of the industry’s workforce reports feeling that DEI efforts are genuine and impactful
55% of respondents believe that inclusive corporate culture directly correlates with employee retention

Employee Experience and Satisfaction Interpretation

While strides are being made—evidenced by a 20% boost in engagement from resource groups and widespread belief in DEI’s link to retention—these stark disparities in job satisfaction reveal that the food processing industry still has a long plate to fill in truly plating up inclusion and equity.

Leadership and Executive Inclusion

Women hold approximately 23% of executive roles in the food processing industry
Companies with diverse boards are 21% more likely to outperform peers financially
Women in leadership roles in food processing industry are underrepresented at around 19%
Less than 8% of executives in the industry are from minority backgrounds
Only about 12% of senior management in food processing are women
55% of industry respondents believe that inclusive leadership impacts overall organizational performance positively
Men make up approximately 75% of the leadership in the food processing industry, indicating gender disparity
Less than 5% of senior executives identify as LGBTQ+, highlighting underrepresentation
Less than 10% of industry decision-makers are from immigrant backgrounds, showing a representation gap

Leadership and Executive Inclusion Interpretation

Despite compelling evidence that diverse leadership drives better financial performance, women and minorities remain markedly underrepresented in the food processing industry's executive ranks, revealing a paradox where inclusivity is valued in theory but lagging in practice.

Supplier Diversity and Industry Initiatives

70% of organizations report that supply chain diversity is a challenge
The percentage of suppliers from diverse backgrounds has increased by 18% over the last three years
Industry-wide, about 25% of suppliers are certified diverse businesses, with a target to reach 40% by 2025

Supplier Diversity and Industry Initiatives Interpretation

While supply chain diversity in the food processing industry is inching upward with an 18% increase in diverse suppliers over three years, the fact that only 25% are certified diverse businesses—and the goal of 40% by 2025—suggests there's still a long menu of progress to serve up before true inclusion is on the table.

Training, Policies, and Program Implementation

Access to DEI training in the food processing industry increased by 25% from 2020 to 2023
Training on unconscious bias is provided by 45% of major companies in the industry
15% of food manufacturing sites have implemented DEI-specific health and safety standards
80% of diversity training programs in the industry are mandatory, yet only 50% evaluate their effectiveness

Training, Policies, and Program Implementation Interpretation

While a quarter more in the food processing industry are accessing DEI training, with nearly half tackling unconscious bias and a modest number implementing DEI-specific safety standards, the fact that only half assess their program effectiveness suggests we're still kneading the dough for genuine inclusivity.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

Minority participation in the food processing workforce is around 30%
Companies with higher diversity scores are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians
Only 15% of food processing companies have a formal DEI strategy
40% of food processing workers are from underrepresented minority groups
African Americans make up about 12% of the food processing workforce
Hispanic/Latino employees account for approximately 18% of this industry’s workforce
LGBTQ+ inclusion policies are adopted by only 20% of food processing companies
The median age of food processing industry employees is 44 years, with a noticeable age gap among leadership
60% of female employees report experiencing workplace bias or discrimination
Only 10% of food processing firms report having ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) focused on DEI
25% of food processing companies have a DEI officer or chief diversity officer
The employment rate of disabled individuals in the food industry is approximately 5%, which is below the national average
Companies recognize that DEI improves innovation, with 72% citing it as a strategic priority
Nearly 50% of food processing firms have implemented at least one inclusive hiring practice
28% of food processing companies conduct annual DEI assessments
Participation of women in R&D roles within the industry is about 22%, indicating a gender gap in innovation
35% of employees from minority groups report experiencing career development barriers
Millennials and Gen Z employees constitute approximately 65% of the workforce, with a desire for more inclusive workplaces
The rate of promotion for minority employees is 20% lower than for their white counterparts
45% of food processing companies have made public commitments to increasing racial and ethnic diversity
Over 80% of new hires in the industry come from local communities, emphasizing community engagement and DEI
65% of food processing companies have mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups
Nearly 40% of industry employees believe their organization could do more to promote DEI initiatives
The turnover rate for minority employees is 25% higher than for non-minority employees, indicating retention challenges
State and local policies increasingly incentivize diversity initiatives in the industry, with 60% reporting such policies in place
70% of industry leaders agree that DEI initiatives improve company reputation and consumer trust
The percentage of women in supply chain roles in the industry is about 12%
The number of DEI-related scholarships for industry students increased by 30% over the last three years
25% of food processing companies have made public commitments to disability inclusion
Over 50% of the industry's workforce supports the implementation of DEI metrics
Only 35% of industry surveys include questions on diversity and inclusion, indicating a gap in data collection
The adoption of flexible working arrangements for diverse employees increased by 28% from 2021 to 2023
Companies with higher gender diversity infiltrate new markets 2.5 times faster
Nearly 60% of industry leaders see DEI as a competitive advantage
Investment in DEI initiatives in the food processing industry increased by 40% in 2022, indicating growing importance
The employment of women in operational roles has increased by 15% over the last five years, indicating progress
The median salary for minority employees is approximately 12% lower than for majority employees, highlighting wage disparity
45% of talent acquisition professionals in the industry prioritize DEI in hiring processes

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

Despite recognizing DEI as a strategic asset and witnessing increased investments, the food processing industry still faces significant challenges in minority representation, wage equity, and implementing comprehensive inclusivity measures, revealing that true diversity is not just a statistics game but a call for meaningful action.