What is KeHE Distributors?
KeHE Distributors is a powerhouse in the food products industry, known for its dedication to natural, organic, specialty, and fresh products. Founded over 70 years ago by Art Kehe, an independent retailer who saw a real need to better serve store owners, KeHE has grown into one of the largest and most respected pure-play grocery and natural distributors in North America. With a strong focus on integrity and a mission to Serve and feed America, KeHE isn’t just about moving products—it’s about spreading goodness wherever they go. Their employee-owned structure and expansive network make them a key player in the supply chain, delivering not just food, but value and trust to customers and suppliers alike.
Main Benefits of KeHE Distributors
KeHE’s impact is backed by impressive numbers and a clear commitment to excellence:
- More than 6,800 employee-owners driving the company’s success
- A network of 19 distribution centers strategically located across North America
- Certified B Corporation status with a remarkable B Corp score of 109.1
- Specialization in natural, organic, fresh, and specialty food products
- Advanced performance metrics ensuring quality and reliability for suppliers and retail partners
- Strong focus on innovation through consumer insights, market data, and merchandising expertise
KeHE’s Company Culture and Values
At the heart of KeHE is a culture built on integrity and a passion for doing business the right way. The company’s mantra? Next-level goodness in everything they do. This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a genuine commitment to healthy eating, sustainable living, and responsible business practices. KeHE’s employee-owners are deeply invested in the company’s mission, creating a workplace where passion meets purpose. Their Certified B Corporation status reflects this dedication, holding them to the highest standards of social and environmental performance. Transparency and accountability aren’t just buzzwords here—they’re the foundation of how KeHE operates and impacts the communities they serve.
Innovation at KeHE
Innovation is more than a buzzword at KeHE—it’s a driving force. By blending consumer insights, market data, and a carefully curated product assortment, KeHE delivers solutions that keep their partners fresh and ahead of the competition. Their team’s product knowledge and merchandising expertise translate into actionable, data-backed strategies that help suppliers and retailers stay relevant in a fast-changing market. This approach ensures that KeHE isn’t just distributing food—they’re distributing opportunity, growth, and success for everyone involved.
KeHE’s Commitment to Social Responsibility
KeHE’s dedication to doing good extends beyond business. The KeHE Cares® Foundation is a testament to the philanthropic spirit embedded in the company’s DNA. By partnering with KeHE, customers and suppliers contribute to meaningful charitable work carried out by employees worldwide. This foundation embodies the company’s core purpose: to SERVE to make lives better®—not just for customers and suppliers, but for employees and communities too. It’s a powerful reminder that business success and social impact can go hand in hand.
Project Impact: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked to KeHE
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Supporting access to healthy, nutritious food
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Promoting natural and organic products for healthier lifestyles
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Employee ownership and fair business practices
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Sustainable sourcing and distribution
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Commitment to environmental performance as a Certified B Corporation
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with suppliers and retailers for shared success
Authenticity and Vision Driving KeHE Forward
KeHE stays true to its roots by authentically serving the grocery industry with a focus on specialty, natural, organic, and fresh products. Their vision is clear: to be the preferred supply chain partner in North America’s specialty and fresh product marketplace. This vision is supported by a mission dedicated to the success of customers and suppliers through optimal distribution solutions and value-added sales and marketing services. At its core, KeHE’s purpose is simple yet powerful—they SERVE to make lives better®, creating a ripple effect of goodness that touches every part of their business and beyond.
