KeHE Distributors® Announces ECOtrade™ Program; Laura McCord Comments
NAPERVILLE, IL - The more minds that are at the table, the more ideas that will come to the surface. As KeHE Distributors® continues down its path to sustainability, the company is welcoming its supplier base to join the cause. Through the new KeHE ECOtrade™ program, the company aims to make sustainability a priority for everyone.
“We recognize our impact on the planet and want to lead change within the food and beverage industry. The new KeHE ECOtrade program has been created to inspire others to use their business as a force for good and join forces with those already taking action,” Laura McCord, Executive Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, stated. “The program will recognize and support brands that make a significant climate action commitment, such as net-zero, carbon-neutral, or science-based targets, and bring those to the forefront for retailers and shoppers to discover.”
As a leading natural, organic, specialty, and fresh food distributor, noted the release, KeHE recognizes its stewardship role of caring for the planet and making meaningful progress toward climate action in transportation, energy, waste, and refrigerants.
The company has pledged the following climate commitments:
- Decrease transportation emissions by 20 percent by 2030
- Lower food waste by 50 percent and landfill diversion by 90 percent before 2030
- Reduce Global Warming Potential (GWP) from refrigerants by 20 percent by 2030
- Pursue options to allow 100 percent of its energy use to come from renewable energy
KeHE is also calling on its product suppliers to take action by joining in the distributor’s efforts through the KeHE ECOtrade program.
Currently, the program is inviting new brands and organizations to join. As of now, participants in the ECOtrade program include organizations like PepsiCo, Preserve, Tasty Bite, Clif Bar, Ecos, Stonyfield Farms, Alter Eco, Delicious & Sons, Numi, and Moonshot.
Curious to learn more? Click here for details.
How will the fresh produce industry take part in this program? We cannot wait to find out.
