Hi KULA Fam!
We're bursting with joy to finally shout it from the rooftops: KULA Foods is officially a Certified B Corporation™! This means that KULA now belongs to a community of businesses leading the transformation of the global economic system, staying true to our mission – using food as a force for good.
The Road to B Corp
Navigating the B Corp process can feel like deciphering ancient scrolls. It wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, and there were moments where we felt a little lost in the weeds. After struggling through the B-Impact Assessment™ on our own, we discovered and applied to the Decade Impact workshop series called “Getting to 80”– a fast-paced, six-day program designed to take small companies like KULA through the B Corp assessment: specifically in the areas of impact literacy training, business systems design, and future scenario planning.
We realized that not only do we need to positively impact our community, but we also need solid policies and indicators to measure and share that impact in a quantifiable way. As a small business, building frameworks and policies can feel like trying to climb Mount Everest in flip-flops. It was a priority, but our small team needed continued support and guidance. That's why we applied for the Level Program. This amazing program pairs businesses with B Corp experts to help us develop impact business models (IBMs) that are measurable, actionable, and most importantly, make a real difference. And guess who we were matched with? Yep, our new friends at Decade Impact – a match made in impact heaven.
Our Three Core Impact Business Models (IBMs):
Workforce Development: We're committed to fair treatment and economic security for our team. That means living wages, flexible work schedules, a healthy work-life balance and a work environment that empowers our team to thrive.
Local Economic Development: Our community is our heart. We offer sliding scale pricing to non-profits, prioritize partnerships with local, Black-owned and Indigenous-owned suppliers, invest in initiatives that increase access to healthy food options, and keep our dollars circulating within the communities we serve.
Resource Conservation: Because a healthy planet is a delicious planet, we take concrete steps to reduce our environmental footprint. This includes partnering with Veritree to plant mangrove trees and support preserving our ecological system in Kenya.
Though we didn't score perfectly – Specifically, we didn't earn credits for Health and Wellness or Serving Underserved Populations because our products (yet!) don't meet all the FDA criteria for "healthy food" – we're already strategizing ways to hit those targets for our recertification in three years.
The Takeaway: It's a Journey, Not a Destination
Becoming a B Corp is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and pushing ourselves to do better. We're incredibly grateful to Decade Impact for their unwavering support and guidance. This journey has been a rollercoaster, but one thing's for sure – led by our values of sustainability, community, and accessibility, we’re committed to bringing communities together through the love of delicious, culturally relevant plant-based nourishment.
Join the KULA Movement
By choosing KULA Foods, you're not just getting a delicious meal – you're supporting a company that's making a difference. We're excited to continue our B Corp journey, and we'd love for you to come along for the ride!
With gratitude and excitement,
-The KULA Team
