Fruit of Your Labor

The KeHE Leadership Academy is one of the main pillars of the KeHE Cares® Foundation. Its mission is to guide leaders and organizations on a journey of cultural renewal. Join us as we sit down with Paul Reichert, Director of the KeHE Leadership Academy, to uncover more about its mission and impact. If you would like to learn more about the KeHE Leadership Academy, you can visit https://www.kehecares.org/KeHE-Leadership-Academy.

Talanton is one of our KeHE Cares® partners that invests in growing businesses in developing countries to create jobs for people living in poverty. We had the privilege of interviewing David Simms, the managing partner and founder of Talanton, to learn more about their mission. You can visit their website at https://www.talantonllc.com.

A few months ago, KeHE’s distribution center in Romeoville, Illinois, began piloting an employee store as a way to give back to employees by offering great products at affordable prices. We sat down with Mike Kimery and Jackie Olney, two employees who spearheaded the opening of the store, to learn more about the store and how it's helping KeHE cut down on food waste.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To bring awareness to this widespread issue, we sat down with Simone Halpin – Co-founder and Executive Director of Naomi’s House in Wheaton, Illinois – to hear about her organization and how it is helping countless women work through the trauma of their past and build a healthy future on their own terms. To learn more about Naomi’s House, you can visit https://www.naomishouse.org/.

Have you ever heard the term “Impact Investing” but weren't sure what it was? If so, you’re in luck! Today's episode is divided into two parts. First, the President of the KeHE Cares Foundation, Rusty Bland, will explain what Impact Investing at KeHE means. Then, we will hear from two representatives from Pureflow, a beneficiary of KeHE's Impact Fund, to learn about their incredible lease-to-own motorcycle program in East Africa. You can learn more about Pureflow by visiting their website, www.pureflowboda.com.

Multiple times each year, groups of KeHE employees have the opportunity to go on serving trips to Laredo, Texas. In this episode, we interviewed the two people in charge of the ministry – Pastors Luis and Lucy De Leon – to hear about the impact that our KeHE employee groups make in Laredo, and to learn more about how their ministry started. Learn more about the ministry by visiting www.newvisioncommunitychurch.org.

Join us as we sit down with KeHE President & CEO Deb Conklin as she answers questions submitted by employees. We get a glimpse into her professional journey and hear her vision for the future of KeHE.

Each September KeHE Cares hosts the Shaw Cup golf event to raise support for partners who are making an impact in their local communities. One of the organizations that was a recipient of last year’s fundraising was DeWanna’s Closet in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In this episode, their founder, DeWanna Tarver, shares their story of supporting school children. To learn more: Shaw Cup DeWanna’s Closet Food for Thought

KeHE maintains an ESOP—Employee Stock Ownership Plan—a retirement fund for employees. Each year a new share price is announced as well as the percentage of wages that KeHE contributes to employees’ account. On today’s episode two employees, Dottie Owens and Chris Singelton, share their stories of being in the program, reaction to the new share price, and what the ESOP means for their future.

Serving is one of the core pillars of the KeHE Cares® Foundation. At KeHE serving is about getting shoulder to shoulder and eye to eye with our marginalized brothers and sisters around the world. Randy Shaw—Director of KeHE Cares Outreach—has been a key part of our journey from giving to hands-on serving, and today he shares that journey with us! Learn more at kehecares.org/Serving-and-Giving-at-KeHE-Cares

KeHE Cares® has partnered with Compassion International for 6 years now. One way we support them is by sponsoring Child Development Centers in Central America. These centers provide wholistic care for children in poverty, pouring into their mind, body, and soul. Not only are children’s lives being transformed but whole families and communities as well. Learn more about our partnership: https://mcr.compassion.com/kehe/

We’re kicking off season four with an inspiring story from Michelle DuFresne, a recently retired VP of Sales. She walks us through her professional journey from finance to sales as well as her many experiences with KeHE’s cultural of serving. Her story culminates with a recent opportunity to serve others in her everyday life.

At KeHE we are committed to caring for our planet and protecting the environment. We measure our progress in four focus areas: transportation, waste, refrigerants, and energy. Our ECOtrade™ program supports brands who make actionable commitments to climate and sustainability. Today on the podcast, two ECOtrade™ committee members—Gabriela Reyes, Fresh Retail Specialist, and Kasia Kedzierska, Brand Activation & Content Manager—share all about the program, their passion, and sustainability at KeHE. Learn more about ECOtrade™ and our sustainability goals at www.kehe.com/ecotrade/.

Join us as we sit down with KeHE President & CEO Brandon Barnholt as he answers questions submitted by employees. We get a glimpse into his professional journey, what makes KeHE culture so unique, and his vision for the future.

KeHE’s Leadership Academy seeks to bring cultural transformation within organizations through the whole person leadership journey. For employees, our approach focuses on both personal and professional growth through a variety of training programs. In this episode, Jennifer Backus—a Talent and Organizational Development Manager—shares her insight in talent development. She touches on KeHE’s specific programs and plans for the future while also sharing practical tips you can implement today!

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month—an issue that is prevalent both domestically and abroad. As part of our campaign to shine a light on human trafficking, Linda Powell—Executive Director of Risk Management—and Misty Ellington—Warehouse Safety Manager—are joining the podcast to share their experiences on a serving trip to Katmandu Nepal to serve with Restoring Hope Nepal. To learn more about Restoring Hope visit www.restoringhopenepal.org.

Goodness, hope, and joy spread like wildfire where KeHE employees are involved. Each holiday season, employees across KeHE nation partner with their favorite organizations to meet the practical needs of others. Listen to the stories of Lindsay Tintera, our Director of Marketing, and Peter Rizzo, Supplier Optimization Manager, as they serve families and inspire others to spread holiday joy. To learn more about the organizations they've partnered with visit: Shelter, Inc. Outreach Community Ministries

KeHE Cares sends multiple groups of employees on serving trips to Guatemala every year. We partner with New Vision Community Church in Santa Rosita. Paul Reichert—KeHE Cares Director of Serving & Leadership—and Nancy Killian—Marketing Coordinator—share all about their experience in Guatemala and why you should consider going on a KeHE serving trip too!

A long-time partner of the KeHE Cares® Foundation, Male Mogul Initiative seeks to transform the lives of young men in Chicago. Their five-stage program instills lessons of leadership and entrepreneurship through education and hands-on experiences. Walter Mendenhall joins us on the podcast to share the organization’s story and his vision for the future. To learn more about Male Mogul Initiative, visit malemogulinitiative.org/

KeHE hosts multiple tradeshows throughout the year, including two in-person Holiday and Summer Shows. Wherever the KeHE shows go, goodness follows. Ari Goldsmith—VP of Marketing & Digital Media—and Lauren Keneway—Sr. Manager of Marketing Experience—tell us how their team makes this goodness possible for our retails, suppliers, and food consumers. Learn more about the upcoming Summer Show or register at https://www.kehe.com/news-blog/events/2023-kehe-summer-show/ !