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Avendra for Good supplier recognition program: Le Chef Bakery

Key Takeaways

Inclusive leadership is central to Le Chef's success: Founded by immigrants, Le Chef is a family-owned business with a minority-majority leadership team, more than 40% female representation in management and ownership, and a workforce where over 90% of employees come from minority or vulnerable communities.
Sustainability is embedded across Le Chef's operations: The company supports fair labor practices, ethical sourcing, waste reduction, RSPO-certified palm oil, cage-free eggs, and continuous improvement initiatives that promote responsible business operations.
Le Chef is focused on long-term responsible growth: Through supply chain evaluation, supplier inclusivity efforts, and participation in the EcoVadis program, Le Chef is working to strengthen its sustainability and inclusive sourcing capabilities for the future.

Le Chef Bakery

Le Chef is one of the country's foremost premier bakeries specializing in high-end, European-style baked goods. With a fine array of decadent desserts, enticing breads, and a comprehensive line of breakfast pastries, frozen dough, and fresh-baked goods, Le Chef has established itself as a leading foodservice bakery supplier.

It all began in 1983 with a simple idea, one dream, and a big vision. Armed with determination and a strong work ethic, the founders launched the bakery from their Los Angeles apartment. As demand for Le Chef's products grew, the company expanded its operations while remaining committed to exceptional quality and customer service.

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Inclusive Sourcing

Define how Global Inclusion (formerly DE&I) is represented at Le Chef and how it has defined your company.

Le Chef represents the best of the American Dream. Founded by immigrants, Le Chef remains a family-owned and operated company with a minority-majority leadership team and more than 40% female representation in management and ownership. Over 90% of employees are from minority/vulnerable groups, and together we have aspired and succeeded in establishing Le Chef as the region's premier bakery foodservice supplier. In addition, we are committed to equal pay for equal work, as well as pathways to leadership for homegrown talent. We aim to enable the dreams of our people through these and other activities for inclusion.

Sustainability

Define how Le Chef is driving sustainability changes across the company.

Le Chef has robust and improving policies, safeguards, and practices around labor and human rights, environmental issues, business ethics, and responsible procurement.

We regularly benchmark our compensation against the market to ensure fair pay and prepare cost-of-living adjustments when needed. We are proud to maintain a workplace free from child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Our system is designed for continuous improvement and waste reduction to increase yields and limit byproducts. We strive for a workplace free of corruption, conflicts of interest, fraud, and money laundering. All palm oil products sourced are RSPO-certified, and we source cage-free eggs.

We regularly look for opportunities to increase our sustainability efforts and welcome ideas from partners and customers.

Long-term Goals

What are your company's long-term goals related to inclusive sourcing and sustainability?

We have started to evaluate the supply chain to consider supplier inclusivity and sustainability. We work with a wide range of national and international companies that are themselves strengthening their supply chains and sustainability efforts. We aim to systematically develop our ability to deliver on these expectations for our customers moving forward.

Inclusive and sustainable

Certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and participating in the EcoVadis program.

We get it, and we can help.

AVENDRA FOR GOOD SUPPLIER RECOGNITION PROGRAM: LE CHEF BAKERY

FAQs

What makes Le Chef Bakery an inclusive supplier?

Le Chef is a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise founded by immigrants. The company maintains a minority-majority leadership team, more than 40% female representation in management and ownership, and creates pathways for career growth through equal pay and leadership development opportunities.

What sustainability initiatives does Le Chef support?

Le Chef promotes responsible procurement, waste reduction, fair labor practices, ethical business conduct, RSPO-certified palm oil sourcing, and the use of cage-free eggs. The company also participates in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment program.

What are Le Chef's future goals for inclusive sourcing and sustainability?

Le Chef is evaluating its supply chain to further incorporate supplier inclusivity and sustainability considerations while developing a more systematic approach to meeting customer expectations for responsible sourcing and sustainable business practices.