KeHE® Exclusive Brands CADIA® and MADE•WITH® Lead the Way in Sustainable Sourcing
Forty-two percent of consumers consistently factor the environment into their purchasing decisions. Consumers are inclined to do their part for the planet, but they do still believe food and beverage companies should bear the brunt of the responsibility for a shift toward more sustainable and climate friendly practices. McKinsey found that products with environment-related claims averaged 28 percent cumulative growth between 2017 and 2022, versus 20 percent for products that made no such claims.
Although elevated prices remain a deterrent to consumers who would otherwise wish to buy sustainably (46%), recent findings do suggest cost is decreasing as a barrier. Manufacturers and retailers that can demonstrate a commitment to quality will find that consumers are willing to spend a little more. Bringing these goods to shelves is not only possible, but simple with the right partners. Our CADIA products bring higher quality at a lower price than expected to help grocers consistently connect their customers with big flavors without sacrificing value.
Meanwhile, a staggering 81% of consumers say it is important to them to purchase clean-label food products. We aim to help retailers meet them where they are with our exclusive MADE•WITH products that put clean and simple front and center with ingredients on the front of the package that allow consumers to shop with confidence and joy.
These and other initiatives demonstrate shared values to the growing segment of consumers who wish to spend intentionally. So, what does emphasizing sustainability look like in action? It touches every component of the product lifecycle from sourcing and development to ingredient selection.
Product Sourcing
A wealth of opportunities to operate ethically and sustainably can be found in product sourcing practices. The KeHE exclusive brand team has focused on refining product sourcing and consistently seeks out opportunities to engage with customers, partners, and vendors to solicit and share feedback.
As part of our focus on ethical sourcing, KeHE:
- Follows market trends via sources like SPINS to inform product selection
- Drives insights via KeHE Category Managers who cultivate and analyze consumer trends
- Emphasizes relationships with sustainable farming and recycling practices
- Prioritizing and supporting independent retailer partnerships when possible
- Always tries to seek out the cleanest ingredients at the best cost when possible
- Requires data from vendors making certification claims to ensure standards are met
- Insists that all vendors working with KeHE exclusive brands adhere to a list of more than 160 banned ingredients
- Many major natural retailers and manufacturers follow similar practices to keep their products as clean and sustainable as possible
Product Development
Sustainable product development ultimately comes down to thoughtful decision-making based on robust industry insights and careful evaluation of options. Climate-friendly does not have to be a detriment to customer budgets, nor your bottom line.
To create more accessible sustainable products, KeHE:
- Finds and evaluates programs that deliver at a competitive cost; ensures pricing parameters line up with other top retailers and private label programs
- Makes informed team decisions after thorough review of program parameters to determine if programs are ready to launch to retailers
- Seeks feedback from top tier retailer partners
- Evaluates potential programs and partnerships in stages: sample, price, launch
How KeHE Exclusive Brands Uphold These Values
As part of our commitment to a sustainable future, KeHE exclusive brands such as MADE•WITH and CADIA take steps to source ethically and elevate climate-friendly practices. Our teams develop close working relationships with retailers and seek feedback, as well as meeting with the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) every month to discuss new programs, advertising, and partnership opportunities.
The KeHE team at MADE•WITH manages more than 200 SKUs powered by the Plentiful Planet Brands® product line. Consumers can experience fresh cheeses, bread, bulk repack products, and natural, organic, and Non-GMO foods crafted with simple ingredients without compromising taste.
Meanwhile, at CADIA, the team manages more than 300 SKUs, working only with national and independent grocers and markets, and offering both everyday and organic products at prices comparable to other exclusive brands. CADIA’s organic products are its most popular offerings and the brand is working to expand and add more unique flavors and programs. Sustainability is not only a responsibility we have to future generations, but also an essential path to growth for retailers — KeHE understands how to meet your customers’ changing needs and expectations. Explore our exclusive brands and partnership benefits for retailers.