Supervalu is expanding its sustainable seafood program, including discontinuing the sale of six species and teaming up with the Global Aquaculture Alliance.
The announcement came on Monday at the International Boston Seafood Show. Supervalu, one of the United States’ largest retailers, last year announced that, by 2015, it will source 100 percent of its top 20 wild seafood species from Marine Stewardship Council-certified fisheries, from fisheries in full assessment under the MSC program or from fisheries involved in a fishery improvement project with the World Wildlife Fund.
On Monday, Supervalu expanded the program by announcing that it will adopt the GAA’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification for its aquaculture procurement policy. The retailer also said it will no longer sell orange roughy, shark, monkfish, bluefin tuna, skates and hoki.
“We’ve always viewed our sustainable seafood policy as an ongoing commitment. With this new agreement, Supervalu is fully committed to sustainable sourcing practices for both wild-caught and farm-raised seafood,” said Chris Hooks, Supervalu’s VP of meat, seafood, dairy and frozen foods. “When combined with our decision to discontinue six unsustainable seafood species from our stores, our customers can be confident that we are doing our part to ensure a viable seafood supply both now and in the future.”
Based in Eden Prairie, Minn., Supervalu has about USD 37 billion in annual sales and operates about 4,300 stores under several banners, including Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s/Star Market, Shop ‘n Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.
