Copper River Salmon Countdown Begins

SN STAFF

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle consumers are getting an up-close-and-personal look into how the retailer is sourcing fresh salmon from the Copper River in Alaska this year.

Giant Eagle is posting Facebook comments from master fisherman Buck Gibbons, who the retailer has partnered with to catch the salmon and have it jet-shipped to its stores just hours after harvest. Monday's Facebook post addresses the start of the Copper River fishing season.

"It looks great; variable winds less than 10 knots for today,” Gibbons writes. “For the first opening of the year, it's always a bit dicey to manage everything — boats, nets, equipment, new crew. So, it's a relief to have decent weather to break in everything."

Gibbons co-founded his own fishing company, Wildcatch, in 1999, to introduce wild salmon into the organic marketplace.

“Gibbons is proud of his partnership with Giant Eagle, and excited about working with his Wildcatch crew, local fishing communities, and Giant Eagle, to bring the freshest, most delicious Wild Alaska salmon from the Copper River to your table,” Giant Eagle states in promotional materials.

Giant Eagle is using Facebook to update shoppers as to when the salmon will be available for sale.

“Check back here to find out when this delicacy is available and follow the journey from the water to your table,” according to Giant Eagle.