Big Y on Wednesday became the latest supermarket chain to achieve Marine Stewardship Council chain-of-custody certification for its fresh seafood counters.
The a family-owned, Springfield, Mass.-based retailer, with 61 locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, sources almost all of its fresh seafood from Boston-based North Coast Seafood and will initially offer customers MSC-certified wild salmon, halibut, cod and haddock. Big Y’s commitment to the MSC program is part of its corporate social responsibility policy.
“At Big Y we have always taken a great deal of pride in offering the best seafood products available, with many of them from local suppliers here in New England,” said Michael D-Amour, the retailer’s VP of sales and marketing. “Now we’re very excited to offer a number of items that are certified sustainable so that our customers know that our seafood is not only better for us, but also better for the environment.”
“The Big Y and North Coast families’ share three generations of family ownership and are dedicated to preserving seafood for our future generations,” added Norm Stavis, president of North Coast. “Together with MSC, we have worked tirelessly with independent fisherman, government agencies and responsible fishery managers to achieve our collective vision for sustainable fisheries. Supporting this certification will ensure the future of sustainable fisheries and provide Big Y customers with sustainable, safe, local and wholesome seafood.”
