Happy Family Honored With B Lab 2017 Best For The World Award
Happy Family Remains True to its Mission -- and Continues to Put 'Babies Before Business' -- In Conjunction with Rapid Growth
Sep 13, 2017, 11:00 ET
NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Happy Family, one of the largest and the fastest growing premium, organic, baby and toddler food companies in the U.S., has been granted an exclusive distinction: a 2017 Best for the World: Changemakers Award by B Lab, an independent non-profit organization. Happy Family has been a Certified B Corp since 2011 and this new 'Best for the World' award honors those B Corps which have gone above and beyond maintaining the rigorous standards of certification by continuing to make significant improvements in their business policies and standards.
Since its inception, Happy Family has been steadfast in its mission to improve the trajectory of children's health through nutrition. The team has harnessed the spirit of this mission to put babies before business and to create and maintain a truly relevant brand grounded in real support for all parents. Happy Family is thrilled to be recognized for the meaningful work that it is doing to use business as a force for good.
Separately and complementarily, Happy Family announces that it has officially become a public benefit corporation ("PBC"). The change of its corporate status underpins this commitment to always remain a truly mission-driven company through long-term health-driven goals. In addition to passing its bi-annual certification assessment by B Lab, Happy Family's newly adopted PBC status supports and encourages these greater standards of business practices to provide the most trusted organic products possible in a transparent, socially and environmentally-conscious way.
"This change in corporate status does not reflect a change in the way we operate our business. We've always been incredibly committed to and fiercely protective of our founding principles: to maximize the positive impact on the lives of young children and families everywhere while maximizing positive impact on the planet. Officially becoming a PBC simply preserves this legacy," said Shazi Visram, Founder, CEO and Chief Mom of Happy Family. "In 2013, our company was at a pivotal moment. We were in search of a values-led, strategic growth partner, and I ultimately moved forward with Danone, as they share the same vision and commitment." Danone, through its U.S. subsidiary DanoneWave, is the largest public benefit corporation in the country. Visram continues, "I'm incredibly proud to still be running a meaningful business 14 years after creating the initial concept and even more thrilled to be doing it alongside a partner I trust."
Being a PBC requires Happy Family to manage business in a way that balances shareholders' financial interests and the benefits it brings to people, the planet and broader society. In undergoing this corporate status change, Happy Family is cementing what's always been in its DNA by embedding the following specific goal in its newly amended articles of incorporation: The purpose of [Happy Family] includes the specific public benefit purpose of having a material positive impact on society in a responsible and sustainable manner from the business and operations of the corporation, including without limitation from the production and marketing of organic foods for growing babies, toddlers and kids.
"It has given me great pride, on behalf of Danone, and on a personal level, to know and collaborate with Shazi and Happy Family over the years. Happy Family has influenced our thinking significantly and they continue to inspire us at Danone. Happy Family pursues their mission of bringing nutritious, organic food to children with integrity and innovation. They are constantly seeking opportunities to employ the most environmentally friendly and forward-thinking business practices," said Lorna Davis, Chairwoman of DanoneWave. "They are not afraid to grow and adjust to meet the ever-changing needs of the families they serve, and of our planet, and for that I think they are very deserving recipients of the Best for the World: Changemakers honor."
Happy Family lives its B Corp status and PBC incorporation in many ways, from partnering with non-profit organizations to provide families in need with nutrition education through its social impact program, Happy to Help, to making commitments to reduce the climate impact of its business operations as founding members of the Climate Collaborative. Happy Family will always remain committed in its mission to change the trajectory of children's health with the knowledge that nutrition, especially during the vital first few years of a child's life, helps establish the foundation of life-long health and wellness.
To learn more about Happy Family, please visit its website, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
About Happy Family
Launched on Mother's Day 2006, Happy Family is one of the largest and fastest growing organic food brands to offer a comprehensive line of nutritious foods for babies, toddlers, kids and their mothers. Beginning with baby's first few years of life, Happy Family provides an enlightened assortment of organic meals and snacks to help support a lifetime of wellness. Constantly innovating, Happy Family strives to offer families the right nutrition for every stage of development.
From five SKUs in five stores in 2006 to over 100 SKUs in national distribution, Happy Family continues to earn its place as one of the fastest growing baby food companies in the baby food aisle, as awarded by Fast Company in 2012 and 2013. Happy Family is led by founder, CEO and Chief Mom, Shazi Visram, who was honored as one of Babble's 100 Moms who are changing the world and lauded by President Barack Obama as "a rockstar of the new economy and a leader we can all emulate." Happy to Help, the brand's social initiative, most recently partnered with The Small Things, an organization that helps orphans in Tanzania live a happy, healthy life, to build the Happy Family Children's Village. For additional information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.happyfamilybrands.com.
About B Corp Best for the World
Every year, B Lab highlights the Certified B Corporations with B Impact Assessment scores in the top 10% of the entire global community. The Changemakers award is given to top performers who not only continue to score highly on the assessment, but also make impressive improvements in their practices each year.
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SOURCE Happy Family