An American seafood distributor announced a new partnership today with a food professionals’ network to bring traceability to seafood restaurants in San Diego, Calif.
Catalina Offshore Products, based in San Diego, is partnering with Trace and Trust, a network of farmers, fishermen, distributors and chefs, to use the network’s technology and marketing platform to track and trace Catalina’s seafood.
“There is a huge need for this Trace and Trust program,” said Catalina Offshore Products CEO Dave Rudie. “It’s not just about what fish to avoid, what fish to eat. People want to know where their food is coming from.”
Through the program, restaurants placing orders of any seafood item identified as a Trace and Trust product, such as California sea urchin, king salmon and Baja Seas Baja Hiramasa (farmed yellowtail), will be able to download information and pictures on the vessel or farm. Restaurants will also be able to download customer cards, QR codes and staff talking points as the seafood is being delivered.
“The ability to trace a fish all the way back to the fisherman, fishing vessel or farm that harvested it is a win-win for everyone,” said Jeff Jackson, executive chef at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.
