ANAHEIM, Calif., March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- KeHE Distributors, LLC (KeHE) announced its status as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) at Natural Products Expo West 2016, the world's largest natural and organic products tradeshow with nearly 100 B Corps exhibiting and 70,000 people in attendance.
The announcement is a culmination of a year-long rigorous assessment of KeHE's community, environmental, governance and employee practices conducted by the nonprofit B Lab.
"KeHE is in business for more than just profits. As a Certified B Corporation, KeHE proudly joins a community of companies committed to using business and economic success to be a force for good," said Brandon Barnholt, President and CEO, KeHE Distributors. "Our business culture emphasizes personal integrity—fostering an environment where employees feel valued and encouraged to achieve their best selves. The B Corp certification further validates KeHE's core purpose: We SERVE to make lives better™."
To announce KeHE's B Corp certification, Barnholt led a toast with Chief B Keeper Ben Anderson and representatives from the B Corp community, including Cabot, Dr. Bronner's, Ethical Bean Coffee, King Arthur Flour and Mamma Chia. After the toast, KeHE executives and guests were "first signers" of a giant B Corp Declaration of Interdependence (more than 21 feet wide) at KeHE's booth. A "B Happy" Hour followed the toast and signing ceremony as the show opened to all conference attendees.
"B Lab is honored to have KeHE join the more than 1,600 corporations that we have certified as B Corps," Mr. Anderson said. "KeHE is exemplifying the collective spirit of the Certified B Corps, and we're thrilled to see this collaboration heighten KeHE's announcement and show the power of the community."
In fact, KeHE scored high marks for its community initiatives and employee stewardship in the B Impact Assessment. Through its KeHE Cares program, the company donates 10 percent of its profits to charity and encourages participation in charitable activities in the U.S. and international communities. KeHE's benefits package also includes paid time off for employees to volunteer. An employee stock option plan (ESOP) provides KeHE employees with company stock ownership.
Natural Products Expo West took place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. from March 11-13, 2016. Visit KeHE's B Corp profile to learn more: https://www.bcorporation.net/community/kehe.
About KeHE
KeHE Distributors, LLC (KeHE) provides Natural & Organic and Specialty products to natural food stores, chain grocery stores, independent grocery stores and other specialty product retailers throughout North America. KeHE is the trusted B Corp Certified and employee-owned company with over 5,000 CareholdersTM in the U.S. and Canada. For more about KeHE, visit www.KeHE.com
About B Lab
B Lab is a nonprofit organization that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Its vision is that one day all companies will compete to be best for the world and that society will enjoy a more shared and durable prosperity. B Lab drives this systemic change by: (1) building a global community of Certified B Corporations; (2) promoting Mission Alignment using innovative corporate structures like the benefit corporation to align the interests of business with those of society; (3) helping tens of thousands of businesses, investors and institutions Measure What Matters, by using the B Impact Assessment and B Analytics to manage their impact — and the impact of the businesses with which they work — with as much rigor as their profits; and (4) inspiring millions to join the movement through compelling storytelling by its multi-platform branded media company B the Change Media. For more information, visit www.bcorporation.net.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ari Goldsmith
KeHE, Senior Director of Marketing
[email protected]
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SOURCE KeHE Distributors, LLC
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