Select college dining halls and corporate cafes across the United States are about to be introduced to the world’s first plant-based alternative to raw tuna.
Ocean Hugger Foods, producer of raw-tuna substitute Ahimi, announced a partnership with Aramark – a leader in food, facilities, and uniforms – on 21 March. The partnership will bring the vegan product to certain corporate and higher education cafes that Aramark manages.
“At Aramark, we’re continually looking for new and innovative ways to deliver culinary experiences that meet the demands of our guests and reflect current marketplace trends,” said Annette Gray, lead chef of Culinary & Innovation at Aramark. “Our collaboration with Ocean Hugger Foods to introduce Ahimi into our recipes is another example of our forward-thinking approach to creating sustainable menus that not only taste great but are healthy for you.”
Ahimi, created by Certified Master Chef James Corwell, is a vegan, non-GMO raw-tuna alternative made with just five ingredients: Tomatoes, filtered water, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. The product was recently picked up by national grocery chain Whole Food in 2017.
“A tasty, vegan option for raw tuna is at the intersection of a few major trends, including the growing popularity of sushi, as well as the surge in plant-based diets and dishes,” said Andy Sasser, global category manager at Whole Foods. “We love when we can bring shoppers something delicious that’s never been done before, and Ahimi does just that.”
The new partnership between Ocean Hugger and Aramark has already allowed the pair to develop a variety of poke bowls, which will be served Aramark facilities across the country.
The move is part of Aramark’s effort to increase the number of plant-based dishes served in its dining operations. According to Aramark, 30 percent of the main dishes it serves at venues in healthcare, higher education, and business cafes are vegetarian or vegan.
CEO of Ocean Hugger Foods David Benzaquen said, “We are honored to partner with such an industry leader as Aramark in addressing the crisis of our oceans and sharing Ahimi with their customers. Collaborating with Aramark allows us to expand our footprint and reach countless new customers and further our mission.”
