Thanks to a USD 96,000 grant from the USDA, the Alaska Community Seafood Hub community supported fishery (CSF) is looking to hire a full-time sales and operations manager.
The CSF, which also recently won USD 5,000 from the Fish 2.0 competition, wants to expand sales of its direct-to-consumer Alaska seafood products via its CSF, along with wholesale sales to foodservice customers.
“Our model for growth is based on what we are doing now, including retail sales through our CSF and wholesale through our Kodiak Jig Seafoods brand of cod and rockfish. One of our big limitations has been capacity, so now we are going to be able to hire someone who has the ability to grow those things,” said Kelly Harrell, executive director, of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, which operates the ACSH.
The CSF currently has 800 household members and has sold more than 50,000 pounds of seafood since its inception four years ago. ACSH wants to grow both retail and wholesale customers, which include upscale restaurants and lodges. It does not plan on expanding to grocery stores or other retail markets, however.
“We would like to reach customers in the most direct way – through the CSF. Focusing on selling seafood caught by Alaska fishermen to Alaska consumers will continue to be our focus,” Harrell said. The CSF’s model, which helps fishermen get a higher premium, is not typically a “good fit for a lot of retailers,” she added.
ACSH sells Norton Sound king crab, Tanner crab (because the fishery is closed in Kodiak, the CSF is looking for a Bering Sea source), Bristol Bay salmon and Kodiak Jig- caught rockfish and cod.
