EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods announced an exclusive initiative with two of its global shrimp suppliers, Thai Union Frozen PCL and Avanti Frozen Foods, making the company the largest importer of Fair Trade Certified shrimp in the U.S.
This marks not only the first fair trade seafood or shrimp certification in India, but also the first certification of two suppliers simultaneously from different geographic regions.
This recent fair trade certification is an extension of the Thai Union global sustainability platform, SeaChange, and the seafood giant’s commitment to protect the planet, improve lives, and fight poverty within the communities in which it operates. As part of Thai Union North America, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods partnered with Thai Union Frozen and Avanti, a Thai Union affiliated company, on this important initiative to help drive sustainability and leadership in the industry and category. Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods is the #1 importer of frozen shrimp in the United States. With shrimp as the most consumed seafood in the country, this certification provides U.S. consumers with the volume of Fair Trade Certified options they are starting to demand.
“Here at Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, we are proud to champion sustainability for both the sea and local communities through Fair Trade’s rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards,” said Bryan Rosenberg, CEO, Thai Union North America. "In an industry survey we conducted earlier this year, we saw that nearly 3/4 of food executives and buyers saw an increase in demand for sustainably caught/raised products. Fair trade certification gives us the opportunity to provide them with what they want in a clear, recognizable way."
An award-winning, rigorous, and globally recognized sustainable sourcing model, Fair Trade USA works to improve livelihoods, protect the environment and build resilient, transparent supply chains. Fair trade certification allows consumers to purchase with the trust that each product was made according to rigorous standards that protect workers, farmers, fishers, and their communities. This includes:
“This initiative bolsters the efforts of conventional seafood partners getting involved in improving global environmental and human rights protections,” say Paul Rice, Founder & CEO of Fair Trade USA. “Thai Union’s commitment to sustainability and the fair trade shrimp initiative helps elevate customer confidence in their leadership in this space and ability to meet consumer demand for seafood they can feel good about. As the first global initiative of its kind, this is a step towards greater equity throughout the seafood supply chain.”
