McLane Company, Inc., a leading supply chain services company providing grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions, was selected as one of five finalists for the 2018 Partnership for a Healthier American Partner of the Year Award.

The finalists for recognized at PHA's Healthier Future Summit in early May in Washington, D.C. The winner will be announced at the 2018 Fit to Celebrate Gala in September.

PHA’s Partner of the Year Award nominees are evaluated on the reach, innovation and positive impact of their work in populations disproportionately impacted by childhood obesity. The nominees support PHA’s mission to ensure that children and families have the opportunity to live healthier lives wherever they are. The nominees also create a ripple effect, inspiring others in their industry to take action and make “the healthy choice the easy choice” while executing successful partner-to-partner opportunities.

McLane Company partnered with PHA on May 16, 2016 and became the first grocery and foodservice supply chain distributor to do so. McLane’s commitment to PHA includes a wide range of supply chain solutions that make it easier for stores to stock fresh produce, private label bottled water with the Drink Up logo (a PHA signature initiative encouraging people to drink more water more often) and products that meet PHA’s Healthier Food and Beverage Product Criteria. In 2017 alone, McLane distributed 1.325 billion pounds of fruits and vegetables to foodservice and grocery retailers, modernizing the system in which fresh produce is accessed by the average American citizen. McLane supplies retailers with fruit and vegetable point-of-sale kits at no charge. The materials are designed to encourage consumers to purchase fresh produce while shopping.