Bento Inc. has joined the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Sushi Council.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada-headquartered Bento Inc. runs more than 500 sushi bars throughout North America. It also supplies 2,500 sites in Canada and the U.S. through a commissary model, which offers convenience sushi portions to a variety of retailers and organizations, including grocery stores, schools, and hospitals.
"Joining the NFI Sushi Council is a natural extension of our mission to deliver sushi responsibly," Bento Senior Vice President for Procurement and Supply Chain Takako Kato said. "We are committed to ensuring every roll, nigiri, and poke bowl we make meets the highest standards for food safety, quality, and sustainability. Collaboration with the council and its members will strengthen our shared ability to safeguard product integrity and build consumer trust."
Sushi Council Chairman Michael McNicholas, who also serves as CEO of sushi ingredient importer and supplier Oddisea SuperFrozen, said that he believed “Bento’s scale and commitment to responsible sourcing” made them a strong match for the Sushi Council.
“Their expertise in both retail and foodservice channels brings important perspectives to our work in advancing best practices across the sushi supply chain," McNicholas said.
The NFI Sushi Council was founded in 2024 and has more than 30 members, among them leading companies in the North American sushi supply chain. The precompetitive association publicly represents sushi retailers and value chain members while also promoting best practices throughout the industry.
