KeHE Distributors Celebrates B Corp Certification at Natural Products Expo West

KeHE Distributors, LLC (KeHE) announced its status as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) at Natural Products Expo West 2016, the 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," says Brandon Barnholt, president and CEO at 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," Anderson says. "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 was held March 11-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.