The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) is awarding nearly USD 1 million (EUR 927,330) to four European partners launching new products made with pollock for the European market.
The partners receiving funding are Young’s Seafood, Nomad Foods, Angulas Aguinaga, and Pickenpack Seafoods, according to a GAPP press release.
Nomad Foods will use the funding to conduct consumer research on how to better introduce more European markets to pollock.
Young’s Seafood plans to bring a “Chipshop Quarter Pounder” sandwich made with pollock to the United Kingdom market, and Pickenpack Seafoods will coordinate with GAPP to bring its “Alaskan Pollock Fish and Sauce” and “Alaskan Pollock Potato Topper" products to discount retailers in Germany. Angulas Aguinaga plans to introduce a new line of heat-and-eat dishes as well as a selection of products with nutritional benefits. Money from the GAPP partnership will be used to help market these products.
More than two dozen companies applied for the funding.
“We’re excited that there was such strong interest in the Partnership Program and are elated with the caliber of companies we’re partnering with,” GAPP CEO Craig Morris said. “These new products represent the versatility of Wild Alaska Pollock and out collaboration will help consumers understand better the benefits of this amazing species.”
“In Europe, thousands of people eat Pollock every day often not fully knowing the species or understanding that Alaska has the highest standards for quality and sustainability. We are thrilled to invest alongside our partners to communicate those advantages in no uncertain terms!” GAPP board chair Mikel Durham added. “These innovative products celebrate the sustainably wild-caught Wild Alaska Pollock in all of its versatile forms.”
The GAPP European Partnership program requires all partners to bring equal or greater funding to the table, which will be matched by GAPP if the proposal is accepted. The partners must commit to using Alaskan pollock for the duration of the partnership and going forward as well.
