American Tuna wins Whole Foods’ Supplier of the Year Award

A variety pack of American Tuna in cans

American Tuna was one of three companies to receive Whole Foods Market’s Supplier of the Year award, and Raw Seafoods was given a Supply Chain Support award.

Whole Foods presented 30 awards to suppliers across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada as part of the company’s 10th annual Supplier of the Year Awards.

“Raw Seafoods and American Tuna are two industry leaders who are raising the bar for supply chain support and environmental stewardship at Whole Foods Market,” Whole Foods Vice President of Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Wes Rose told SeafoodSource. “Both are solution-oriented collaborators and environmentally-conscious brands. We are honored to award these suppliers for their incredible work in 2021.”

Whole Foods Supplier of the Year is the company’s most prestigious award given to suppliers who rise to the top in overall excellence, Whole Foods said in a press release. Its Supply Chain Support Award is given to suppliers that find creative solutions to logistical challenges and prioritize Whole Foods Market’s customer demand.”

“We are honored to be one of three winners for the Supply Chain Support Award and we’re very proud of our entire team who worked extremely hard this year with supply chain disruptions and labor challenges,” Raw Seafoods Vice President Scott G. Hutchens told SeafoodSource.  “We’re consistently producing and shipping value-added seafood products to Whole Foods Market stores across the country despite these challenges. This award is a highlight of our 20 years working together.”

Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based Raw Seafoods supplies a wide range of fresh seafood to retail and foodservice customers, and operates a MSC Certified Facility. 

Bonita, California, U.S.A-based American Tuna utilizes only pole-and-line caught tuna. Its products are Marine Stewardship Council-certified and traceable back to the harvesting vessel guaranteed by a third-party audit, the supplier said on its website.

“Our suppliers are essential to our business. On this tenth anniversary of the awards program, we are particularly grateful for the partnership and dedication of this extraordinary group who continues to raise the industry bar for quality, innovation, and social responsibility,” Whole Foods Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk said.

Earlier this year, Whole Foods announced its Local and Emerging Accelerator Program, which will offer mentorship directly from the retailer’s experts, tailored education for small and emerging producers, and the potential for financial support to promote business growth.

Selected products will gain placement on the shelves of their home city’s Whole Foods Market stores, “making them eligible for growth within the company and contenders for future Supplier of the Year Awards,” Whole Foods said.

Photo courtesy of American Tuna

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