KeHE Distributors has invested heavily in the health of its workplace, ensuring that all employees, customers, and partners have equal access to opportunity. Furthering this mission, the company recently partnered with J.E.D.I Collaborative, an organization committed to breaking down systemic barriers to increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the natural products industry.
“We are extremely honored to join J.E.D.I Collaborative in its important mission to make our industry more inclusive and equitable,” said Gerard Nixon, Vice President of Supply Chain and President of the Diversity and Inclusion Council at KeHE. “We are leveraging the KeHE Civility Code where empathy, trust, and equality are the foundations of how we expect our employees to act, and aligning with J.E.D.I Collaborative is another step forward in making the changes that we desire to move the needle.”
J.E.D.I Collaborative is a newly created initiative that encourages members of the natural and organic food industry to focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in order to uplift and ensure those with marginalized identities in the industry feel they belong. Within an industry of innovators and leaders across the country, J.E.D.I strives to provide tools that empower organizations and individuals to forge breakthroughs into new systems, products, and services to best meet the demands of customers in an increasingly multicultural America. The platform’s focus is on tools to transform businesses and attract the best people, ideas, and ways forward toward a more prosperous future.
By leaning into J.E.D.I’s three pillars of commitment to culture, consumer, and communities, KeHE has committed to fostering an uplifting working environment, reaching a broader market of consumers, and aiding its communities. According to a press release, the distributor has taken action through the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council by acknowledging and honoring the contributions of all employees and driving awareness within the organization.
KeHE has joined the initiative as one of J.E.D.I Collaborative’s “early adopters”. Other J.E.D.I early adopter companies include: Lily’s, Justin’s, Beanfields, Lundberg Family Farms, Chosen Foods, Miyoko’s Creamery, and Clover Sonoma.
From a consumer lens, KeHE supports its partners through programs like DIVERSEtrade™, removing barriers of entry for women, minority, veteran, and LGBT certified brands while supporting KeHE's retail partners in the discovery of products that reach a broader range of consumers.
As we all journey toward a more equitable future, keep following along with reports from Deli Market News.
