Icicle, Pacifico nab Whole Foods’ supplier awards

Pacifico Aquaculture, Icicle Seafoods, and Inverawe Smokehouse were among the seafood suppliers honored by Whole Foods Market in its recent annual Supplier Awards.

Whole Foods honored 32 of its suppliers for “their outstanding achievements in 2019 and ongoing commitments to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation, purpose, and partnership,” the Austin, Texas-based retailer said in a press release.

Whole Foods gave Ensanada, Mexico-based Pacifico Aquaculture its National Award – Special Recognition for “always striving to provide a high-quality protein for all consumers to enjoy, while practicing and advancing stewardship of the land and ocean,” the retailer said.

Founded to create the world’s only true ocean-raised striped bass, Pacifico Aquaculture’s fish are grown off the coast of Mexico in the marine sanctuary of Isla Todos Santos, Ensenada, Baja California.

“Over the last three years, the Pacifico Aquaculture team worked diligently to raise fish that adhere to Whole Foods Market’s Farm-Raised Seafood Standards. The team also worked hard to improve supply chain efficiency, giving us the opportunity to provide more customers with access to their striped bass through expanded distribution across the country,” Whole Foods said.

Meanwhile, Seattle, Washington-based Icicle Seafoods received Whole Foods’ “Raising the Bar for Quality” award for the supplier’s leadership in improving the quality of sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay.

Icicle introduced refrigerated sea water on vessels, added bruise reduction deck mats, and has icing incentives for fishermen.

“Working closely with Whole Foods Market’s purchasing team, Icicle Seafoods has dedicated an enormous amount of time, effort, and personnel to launch new programs to ensure our customers have access to high-quality fresh and frozen sockeye,” Whole Foods said.

Inverawe Smokehouse in Taynuilt, United Kingdom nabbed the retailer’s “Rookie of the Year” award for “working tirelessly to bring smoky, full-bodied, flavorful salmon with a silky texture to our customers,” the retailer said.

Inverawe began partnering with Whole Foods on an exclusive launch of the brand in the U.S. in 2018, and then quickly ramped up production to meet customer demand.

“A family run smoked fish company that began in 1974 in Taynuilt, Scotland, Inverawe carries on the traditional way of smoking fish, using Scottish hardwood, old-world skills and methods,” Whole Foods said.

Photo courtesy of Philip Arno Photography/Shutterstock

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