A multitude of seafood demos inside United States supermarkets, along with cooking classes and educational events, are among the numerous activities planned to celebrate National Seafood Month in October in the U.S.
In conjunction with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Whole Foods Market chefs are holding cooking demos featuring Alaska sockeye and coho salmon in 20 of their Mid-Atlantic region stores this fall.
“Chefs will be pairing the sautéed salmon samples with wine for guests to enjoy,” said Victoria Parr, domestic marketing director for ASMI.
Meanwhile, Kroger’s chain-wide promotion for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from 15 September through 15 October, focuses on frozen Alaska pollock and salmon. The promotion includes a digital circular ad, digital billboards, digital coupons, in-store POS, and demos. In addition, ASMI is supporting the promotion with an offer for USD off frozen Kroger Alaska pollock and salmon.
At 70 Albertson’s and Safeway Texas stores, chef demos will feature fresh and frozen Alaska salmon and cod. Meanwhile, Hy-Vee’s in-store demos will feature Alaska pollock and cod. “Hy-Vee will share seafood content on social media platforms with ASMI’s support. In addition, a company-wide Alaska cod and pollock display contest will be held for each location,” Parr said.
However, retailers are not the only entities getting involved in National Seafood Month. The University of Massachusetts is hosting a “Pure, Healthy, Simple and Delicious Seafood” event featuring Alaska seafood. Chef John Ash will be creating a special seafood menu including Alaska salmon and cod and conducting a cooking demo for the students, student seafood cooking classes will be held, among several other fun events.
“Over the past 10 years, the consumption of seafood at UMASS has increased to 22 pounds per person annually, compared to 15.5 pounds for the national average,” Parr said.
In addition, Seafood Nutrition Partnership is hosting a series of fun and educational events in various cities, focusing on the heart healthy benefits of eating seafood.
At Healthy Heart Summits this fall, leaders from business, healthcare and community will get together to discuss the importance of a heart-healthy diet and the impact on the local community. Cities include Memphis, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In addition, SNP is organizing Charleston Seafood Week in Charleston, South Carolina, from 22 to 29 October. The event will feature specials from 20 restaurants across the Charleston area.
Meanwhile, New Orleans, Louisiana-based Audubon Nature Institute’s G.U.L.F. program is asking the public to use the #SustainableSeafoodie hashtag on social media to show they are making sure all the seafood they eat throughout the month is local and sustainable.
G.U.L.F. is also partnering with Abita and Dirty Coast breweries to help amplify their efforts to build a community that is knowledgeable and invested in Gulf seafood through a regional marketing campaign designed to educate consumers about the Gulf Coast seafood industry and its positive impact on the region.
