BJ’s Offers Sustainable Barramundi

BJ’s Wholesale Club now features The Better Fish’s original hand-cut all-natural barramundi fillets from Australis Aquaculture in the frozen seafood departments of the chain’s 192 clubs, in 15 states.

Also known as “the sustainable sea bass,” barramundi is a white fish known for its mild, buttery flavor, as well as for being low in fat, free of mercury and other toxins, and full of heart-, brain- and skin-healthy omega-3s. Additionally, Barramundi was recently named one of the Top 12 Food & Nutrition Trends for 2012.

“We started out as a small farm to really see how well we could raise an ideal fish species that is not only healthy to eat, but more sustainable to farm,” said Josh Goldman, CEO of Australis Aquaculture, whose farming systems and specialized feeds result in a net gain of fish protein, thus producing a nutritious item with a small environmental footprint. “Bringing our barramundi to BJ’s makes us feel we have arrived. Now so many more families will be able to benefit from barramundi. BJ’s helps us achieve our sustainability goals.”

“BJ’s is a one-stop shop for quality grocery items at a value price,” noted Dave Ritacco, seafood buyer for the Westborough, Mass.-based club retailer. “We provide members with a wide selection of items, including those traditionally found at specialty food stores.”

To introduce barramundi to shoppers, BJ’s will offer a $2.50 coupon from Dec. 29 to Jan. 11.

The world’s largest producer of barramundi, Turners Falls, Mass.-based Australis Aquaculture is a provider of better-for-you sustainable seafood, marketed under The Better Fish name. Australis Aquaculture offers a full line of fresh and frozen barramundi to the retail and foodservice markets.