Hy-Vee Sourcing 100% Fresh, Private Label Frozen Seafood

Hy-Vee is now sourcing 100 percent of its fresh and private label frozen seafood from responsible sources, according to the retailer.

The West Des Moines, Iowa-based company first set a course of environmental responsibility for its fresh and frozen seafood procurement in 2011, with a full commitment slated for 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, the retailer noted, having reached its goal by the end of December of last year.

Through a partnership with environmental nonprofit FishWise, Hy-Vee 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 supplemented those options with wild Alaskan salmon. The retailer also was able to source 100 percent of its shrimp from responsible sources as well.

“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 VP 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.”

In 2016, Hy-Vee will expand its Responsible Choice Seafood Program to include other seafood categories, including shelf-stable tuna and sushi.

Hy-Vee Inc. operates 240 retail stores across eight Midwestern states.