Dive Brief:

• Giant Food has joined the Ocean Disclosure Project, according to a company press release. The project gives retailers around the globe an opportunity to share insights and information around seafood sourcing.
• Through the platform, Giant shoppers will be able to see the original source of all wild-caught seafood available through Giant’s store brand.
• Last week, Albertsons also released information about its efforts around seafood. The retailer works with nonprofit FishWise to evaluate the practices of its partners, improve traceability and minimize the impact on the environment, according to a press release. With a variety of organizations making it easier to promote and trace transparency in sourcing, retailers are tapping into the added credibility. 

Dive Insight:

Sustainable seafood has become a priority among many reputable grocers in recent years as consumer awareness around the environment and sustainability 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. 

There are several organizations 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. 

Other organizations that have teamed up with retailers include the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, which is a public-private partnership based in the Netherlands, and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, a U.S. nonprofit that assesses the sustainability of seafood among its industry partners.

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.