Dive Brief:
- Giant Food has joined the Ocean Disclosure Project, according to a company press release. Through the project, retailers worldwide can share insights and information around seafood sourcing.
- Albertsons also released information about its efforts around seafood. The retailer works with nonprofit FishWise to evaluate the practices of its suppliers, improve traceability and minimize the impact on the environment, according to a press release.
- This year, Albertsons and Paul Piazaa and Son, a Louisiana-based business supplying shrimp, reviewed their supply chain documentation to trace shrimp from the ocean to the store.
Dive Insight:
Sustainable seafood has become a priority among many grocers in recent years as consumer awareness around the environment has grown.
Ira Kress, president of Giant Food, said in a statement the company wants shoppers to be able to trust the source of seafood they purchase and that this latest initiative aligns with its commitment to sustainable sourcing throughout every store department.
Giant Food and Albertsons join a list of retailers that have voiced their commitment to seafood sustainability. In June, Walmart announced plans to begin sourcing tuna more sustainably under its Great Value brand. Publix, H-E-B, and Natural Grocers are among the other grocers with sustainable seafood policies.
Several organizations are working to improve the seafood supply chain. FishWise, which is working with Albertsons, is a nonprofit consultancy that provides a variety of services, while the Ocean Disclosure Project operates as a reporting platform for several retailers. In addition to Giant Food, other Ocean Disclosure Project members include Aldi, Sam’s Club and Hannaford.
Disclosure is a critical part of ensuring a sustainable supply chain, as it holds retailers accountable to the public and stakeholders. Reporting sustainability efforts and metrics also requires the grocers to have visibility into several tiers of their supply base.
Greenpeace USA has tracked seafood sustainability in the past, noting recent progress among grocers when it released a scorecard in 2018. But seafood supply remains under scrutiny as vendors are sometimes caught mislabeling the origin of their catch, which could result in incorrect identification in stores.