As a leading natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor, KeHE Distributors announced on Wednesday its commitment to a sustainable future during the Climate Day discussion at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, and launched its new supplier initiative, the KeHE ECOtrade program.

"KeHE recognizes its stewardship role of caring for the planet and making meaningful progress towards climate action in transportation, energy, waste and refrigerants," the company said, and to that end has pledged the following climate commitments:

Additionally, KeHE is calling on its product suppliers to take action by joining in the distributor's efforts through the ECOtrade program.

"We recognize our impact on the planet and want to lead change within the food and beverage industry," said Laura McCord, executive director of sustainability and corporate responsibility at Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE. "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. 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."

ECOtrade is currently inviting new brands and organizations in the program to join existing brands and organizations such as Pepsi Co, Preserve, Tasty Bite, Clif Bar, Ecos, Stonyfield Farms, Alter Eco, Delicious & Sons, Numi and Moonshot. To learn more about how to get involved, product manufacturers can visit the KeHE ECOtrade website.