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Hy-Vee adopts Seafood Supplier Code of Conduct

Midwestern grocer reinforces socially responsible seafood sourcing and labor practices

Russell Redman

November 24, 2021

2 Min Read
Hy-Vee Maplewood MN store-banner closeup.jpg
Hy-Vee reported that all of its active seafood suppliers have received and signed a copy of the new code of conduct since its inception in January.Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee has enacted a new Seafood Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC) to bolster its commitment to sourcing environmentally and socially responsible seafood and working with suppliers that embrace fair labor practices.

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee said Wednesday that the SCoC was created to ensure that its suppliers enforce safe working conditions, workers in its seafood supply chains are treated with respect and dignity, and seafood harvesting and production processes are legal and transparent. The company noted that 100% of its active seafood suppliers have received and signed a copy of the new code since its inception in January.

Labor expectations set out in the SCoC are aligned with international norms, standards and best practices, including the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, International Labor Organization (ILO) International Labor Standards and Verité Responsible Sourcing Tool Sample Code of Conduct Provisions for Seafood Supply Chains, Hy-Vee reported.

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Hy-Vee introduced its Responsible Choice Seafood Program in 2014. Seafood products bearing the 'Responsible Choice' symbol meet Hy-Vee’s Seafood Procurement Policy.

“Hy-Vee is committed to advancing social responsibility in our seafood supply chains, and this new code of conduct is an articulation of our company values and commitments that we believe align with our customers' expectations,” Jason Pride, vice president of meat and seafood at Hy-Vee, said in a statement. “This sends a clear message to all our suppliers of the standards and expectations we have for doing business together.”

Related:Seafood sustainability top of mind for shoppers

Hy-Vee said it found that many of its seafood suppliers already had strong policies and practices in place, based on the results of a supplier social responsibility assessment conducted last year. Those measures include human and labor rights codes of conducts, regular human-rights risk assessments and social audits, and worker grievance mechanisms. The retailer said it aims to support the work already being done by suppliers and identify opportunities where social responsibility improvements can be made.

To ensure the quality, safety and integrity of the fresh seafood procured from suppliers, Hy-Vee also employs its own U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) lot inspector. The company said the USDC inspector, stationed on-site at Hy-Vee’s Perishable Distributors of Iowa facility in Ankeny, Iowa, routinely checks incoming shipments of fresh and frozen seafood to make sure that it meets the retailer’s standards.

The SCoC marks Hy-Vee’s latest effort in building a comprehensive seafood sustainability program focused on both the protection of workers’ rights and environmental sustainability. In developing the program, Hy-Vee said it has collaborated with FishWise, a sustainable seafood consultancy. A year ago, FishWise confirmed that 100% of Hy-Vee’s fresh and frozen seafood and sushi were in compliance with its Responsible Choice Seafood program, introduced in February 2014. Seafood products bearing the “Responsible Choice” symbol meet Hy-Vee’s Seafood Procurement Policy and are caught or farmed in a responsible manner. 

Related:Hy-Vee heightens responsible sourcing in seafood

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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