SAN DEIGO — The Honest Kitchen announced Sept. 7 that it has achieved B Corp certification, a high standard of social and environmental performance for businesses. According to the human-grade pet food company, the certification formalizes its dedication to pets, people and the planet.

According to B Lab, about 5,000 companies worldwide are certified B Corporations. B Corps leverage their businesses to help reduce inequality and poverty, as well as create a positive impact on the environment and foster stronger communities. The certification focuses on five areas: governance, workers, environment, customers and community. According to The Honest Kitchen, it has been committed to these areas of business since its founding.

"We've been grounded in the principles of conscientious decision-making, such as sourcing non-GMO produce, numerous organic ingredients and higher animal welfare meat standards since we first began," stated Lucy Postins, founder and chief integrity officer of The Honest Kitchen. "We believe it's our responsibility to continue to raise the bar for ourselves and becoming a B Corp is the perfect next step to cement our ongoing commitment to lasting, positive impact by using our business as a force for good."

As part of its B Corp certification, The Honest Kitchen has adopted numerous initiatives throughout its operations, which includes prioritizing minority and women-owned suppliers; increasing local sourcing; reducing its environmental impact through sustainable packaging and distribution; improving the diversity of its workforce particularly throughout its leadership; integrating more organic and certified Fair-Trade ingredients; and more.

"Formalizing our policies and practices to become a Certified B Corp has really allowed us to define and execute on goals for how we care for our people, such as tracking and increasing diversity and equity across our workforce, increasing paid volunteer time for our team and improving benefits," said Michael Greenwell, chief executive officer of The Honest Kitchen.

The B Corp certification builds upon the company’s recent certification with the Global Animal Partnership (GAP). Through the GAP certification, the chicken used in several of The Honest Kitchen’s recipes are humanely raised and sourced, ensuring animal welfare throughout its supply chain.

"We're thrilled to have a company like The Honest Kitchen join the ranks of Certified B Corporations," said Sarah Silverman, director of marketing and communications at B Lab US/Canada. "This recognition marks the company's continued commitment to sustainable sourcing, animal welfare, thoughtful production methods, and caring for its workers both internally and throughout the supply chain."

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