Kroger updates sustainable seafood pledge

The Kroger Co. on Friday offered an update on its sustainable seafood initiative, which kicked off in 2009 when it partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to develop a sustainable seafood sourcing policy.

The Cincinnati-based retailer said more than half of the top 20 wild seafood species sold at Kroger stores originate from Marine Stewardship Council-certified fisheries or fisheries in full assessment.

Kroger set a goal of sourcing 100 percent of its top 20 wild seafood species from MSC-certified fisheries, fisheries in full assessment or fisheries involved in a WWF fishery improvement project by 2015. 

The retailer also announced that it will no longer sell shark, marlin or bluefin tuna due to sustainability concerns.

“Kroger is enthusiastic about this goal and what it will mean for our customers,” said Mark Van Buskirk, VP of meat and seafood merchandising for Kroger. “We want to ensure that our customers and their children can enjoy fresh, sustainable seafood for generations to come.”

Kroger also committed to the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices in 2009. Last year, the retailer announced that it now requires its suppliers to source farmed seafood from BAP-certified facilities and that it will soon require that the BAP seal appear on its private-label shrimp, tilapia and channel catfish.
Kroger is the United States’ largest traditional grocery retailer, operating more than 2,450 stores in 31 U.S. states. Its banners include Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.

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