Whole Foods’ U.S. albacore sales hit record

Whole Foods Markets in the Pacific Northwest sold a record amount of U.S.-caught albacore tuna in August, the Western Fishboat Owners Association (WFOA) announced on Wednesday.

This marks the third year that the natural foods retailer partnered with the WFOA to promote Wild Pacific Albacore. During this year’s promotion, sales of local albacore increased 30 percent from 2009, according to the WFOA.

More than a ton of fresh, whole albacore was sold between two Whole Foods locations on 14 and 15 August. At Whole Foods Market Fremont, Wash., 1,000 pounds of whole tuna was sold in under and hour.

“We want people to know that there is plenty of local, sustainably-fished tuna available, and presenting our albacore at Whole Foods is a great way to do that,” said Wayne Heikkila, WFOA executive director. “We hope that the success of this promotion will encourage other supermarkets to consider U.S.-caught albacore for their fish counters. When retailers support sustainable, local seafood not only are they making an environmentally sound decision, they’re keeping jobs and dollars in our coastal communities.”

The partnership with Whole Foods is part of WFOA’s broader public education campaign that aims to increase domestic sales of premium, U.S.-caught albacore. Approximately 80 percent of the fish is exported to Europe and Japan for the sushi market.

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