Hy-Vee achieves sustainable seafood goal

Hy-Vee Inc., West Des Moines, Iowa, said 100 percent of its fresh and private label frozen seafood now comes from responsible sources. In 2011, the retailer committed to procuring its fresh and frozen seafood from environmentally responsible sources by the end of 2015.

In January 2014, approximately 62 percent of Hy-Vee’s fresh and private label frozen seafood was responsibly sourced. And in the last year, Hy-Vee achieved a 38 percent increase — reaching its 100 percent responsible sourcing goal by the end of December 2015. The results were confirmed in January, the company said.

Hy-Vee’s intent is to sell high-quality seafood that is not only safe for consumption, but also harvested or raised in a manner that provides for its long-term viability while minimizing damage to the environment and other sea life. To follow through on those commitments, Hy-Vee said it chose to transition all of its fresh and private label farmed salmon to responsible sources rated Yellow or Green by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, and to supplement those options with wild Alaskan salmon.

“When you purchase Hy-Vee seafood, you are supporting best practices that will help ensure a healthy supply of seafood for generations to come,” said Greg Frampton, Hy-Vee’s vice president of meat and seafood operations. “Hy-Vee’s sustainability mission is to protect ocean resources and do business in a manner that promotes the well-being of our customers, employees, communities and the global environment.”

To help it reach its goals, Hy-Vee said it partnered with FishWise, an environmental nonprofit that promotes the health and recovery of ocean ecosystems through environmentally and socially responsible business practices.

“Since they embarked on their mission to source responsible seafood, new issues and unanticipated challenges emerged, but Hy-Vee never backed down in meeting their goal, and they continue to meet challenges head-on,” said Kathleen Mullen-Ley, senior project manager at FishWise. “Hy-Vee’s drive to continue learning about sustainable seafood issues, improving its procurement practices and participating in major conservation initiatives has made it an industry leader.”

In 2016, Hy-Vee will expand its Responsible Choice Seafood Program to include other seafood categories, including shelf-stable tuna and sushi. With these additions, Hy-Vee said its 240 grocery stores can continue to maximize their impact on conservation and lessen their impact on the environment. Customers can look for Hy-Vee’s Responsible Choice label to ensure they are purchasing seafood that has been responsibly sourced.