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Pennsylvania-based supermarket chain Giant Eagle and international nonprofit organization Sustainable Fisheries Partnership have announced a partnership to develop a comprehensive sustainable seafood procurement strategy.

SFP will work with Giant Eagle to develop a strategy geared toward offering the most sustainable sources of wild-caught and farmed seafood to consumers. SFP will evaluate Giant Eagle’s supply chain and work with the retailer, with the final objective to fully engage Giant Eagle’s suppliers in Fisheries Improvement Projects and Aquaculture Improvement Projects.

“Giant Eagle is committed to providing a wide variety of the freshest and highest-quality seafood while being good stewards of the marine environment and fisheries around the world,” says Rich Castle, Giant Eagle director of seafood. “Our partnership with SFP will help us ensure that we source our seafood responsibly, and protect the environment and the food supply for future generations. We look forward to delivering actionable next steps on how we can further improve our seafood procurement strategy in the coming months.”

Giant Eagle’s focus on sustainable seafood is an extension of the company’s overall commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through dynamic energy management, recycling initiatives and its EPA partnerships. The company's partnership with SFP builds on its other seafood activities, including the development of Giant Eagle’s sustainable seafood policy (www.GiantEagle.com/environment) and a line of eco-certified farm raised Atlantic salmon, identified as being in conformance with strict international standards for quality, traceability and sustainable production.

“SFP understands the need for retailers to ensure a sustainable supply of seafood,” says Dick Jones, SFP’s Americas program director. “Giant Eagle can have a positive influence on the wild-catch fisheries and fish farms that it sources from. With this partnership we're looking forward to working across the company's supply chain to adopt more sustainable practices.”

Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle Inc. operates 170 corporate and 58 independently owned and operated supermarkets in addition to 165 fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia and Maryland.

Source: Progressive Grocer