Supervalu Expands Sustainable Seafood Program

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu here has announced a significant expansion of its existing seafood sustainability program, including a new comprehensive procurement policy developed in partnership with the Global Aquaculture Alliance.

Through the agreement, the company’s procurement policy will adopt Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards. Supervalu’s goal is to work closely with GAA and their suppliers to ensure that all farm-raised products sold by Supervalu and its banners are BAP certified to the farm level by early 2013, according to a press release.

“We’ve always viewed our sustainable seafood policy as an ongoing commitment. With this new agreement, Supervalu is fully committed to sustainable sourcing practices for both wild-caught and farm-raised seafood,” Chris Hooks, Supervalu’s vice president of meat, seafood, dairy and frozen foods, said in the release. “When combined with our decision to discontinue six unsustainable seafood species from our stores, our customers can be confident that we are doing our part to ensure a viable seafood supply both now and in the future.”

As part of the announcement, Supervalu also said that it had discontinued the sale of six species of wild-caught fish last week, due to sustainability concerns. These fish include orange roughy, shark, monk, bluefin tuna, skates, and hoki. The sustainability program is in effect at all Supervalu banners, including Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher’s, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s/Star Market, Shop ‘n Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.