Verlasso Expands its Presence with Seafood Distribution Partner, Fortune Fish Company

Verlasso, the world’s first provider of harmoniously raised fish, continues to expand its market presence through a new partnership with Fortune Fish Company, an Illinois-based fresh and frozen seafood distributor serving the Midwest. Through this new collaboration, Verlasso salmon will now be available to consumers through retailers and other purveyors in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri. In addition to this new distribution throughout the Midwest, Verlasso salmon is available at restaurants and retailers through regional distributors and direct-to-retail partnerships in California, Oregon, Las Vegas, New York City and the Mid-Atlantic region. “This partnership will extend our brand to conscious-cuisine consumers in Chicago and throughout the Midwest who care about healthy, sustainable salmon,” says Scott Nichols, director of Verlasso. “Fortune Fish prides itself on offering sustainable seafood to its retailers and their customers. They share our philosophy of sourcing fish in a way that ensures it will meet global demand for years to come. We’re a natural fit.” Since coming to market in 2011, Verlasso has transformed the aquaculture industry through its innovative farming methods and harmoniously raised salmon intended for retailers, distributors and consumers who care about high-quality, healthy food, how it is raised and where it comes from. Verlasso’s most significant innovation is its use of 75% fewer feeder fish to raise Omega-3-rich salmon. In traditional farms, salmon receive Omega-3s from fish oil provided by wild caught feeder fish, putting a significant strain on our oceans.  The average “fish in, fish out” ratio for fish oil and fish meal for salmon growers is about four pounds of feeder fish to produce one pound of salmon. Verlasso has achieved a “fish in, fish out” ratio of 1:1 for fish oil and fish meal – one pound of feeder fish produces one pound of salmon – by replacing the fish oil in the salmon’s diet with Omega-3-producing yeast, significantly reducing dependence on wild feeder fish while keeping Omega-3s high. The 1:1 ratio for both fish oil and fish meal is an important distinction that makes Verlasso different from other salmon farmers.  Verlasso’s “fish in, fish out” calculation is DNV-certified  – meaning the approach, practices and results have been verified – and guided by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s salmon standards created during the World Wildlife Fund’s Salmon Aquaculture Dialogues. “We’re excited to offer this new option in sustainable salmon to our gourmet retailers,” says Mark Palicki, vice president of marketing for Fortune Fish Company. “Our retailers are looking for the transparency and verified farming claims Verlasso provides, and we’re confident their customers will enjoy the salmon’s mild flavor and silky texture. Verlasso’s sustainable farming practices are revolutionary and industry-changing. We’re proud to have them as part of our portfolio.” As part of this new partnership, Verlasso plans to exhibit at Fortune Fish Company’s annual Chicago Seafood and Specialty Food Show on July 18, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom of Chicago’s Historic Navy Pier. During the show, Verlasso will offer Fortune Fish Company customers, culinary students and hospitality professionals the opportunity to learn more about Verlasso’s innovative, harmoniously raised approach to salmon farming and to taste various Verlasso samples.