National Fish & Seafood Builds On Its Market Leadership Following Record-breaking First Quarter 2015

GLOUCESTER, Mass., May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- National Fish & Seafood (NFS), a U.S.-based division of Pacific Andes Group, is celebrating the company's forward momentum, and responding to new opportunities. The company is expanding its product offerings, personnel and promotional efforts to serve its major retailer, distributor, institutional food service and restaurant chain partners located across the United States. It is also taking a growing leadership role to establish and expand new globally recognizable certification programs to help ensure seafood is caught, harvested and processed using sustainable, socially responsible practices.

With the appointment of James (Jim) Faro to helm National Fish & Seafood's sales efforts as Director of Sales and R&D, the company experienced a record breaking Q1 2015, also earning new listings with grocery retailers Albertson's and Safeway. Under his leadership, and with the implementation of a refreshed team-based sales approach and new initiatives underway in Seattle, Washington, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts, the company has refocused its seafood product offerings into six unique categories - bagged shrimp, bagged fillets, breaded shrimp, breaded fish, specialty, and stuffed.

In addition, the company has just launched a new collection of products from its flagship "Discover Matlaw's" brand at the 2015 Seafood Expo North America. From Seafood Paella, to Southern Country Fried Breaded Shrimp, Salmon Burgers, Buffalo Popcorn Shrimp, and restaurant-style Jumbo Butterfly Popcorn Shrimp, these new offerings are on trend, filling an unmet need in the market and resonating with consumers looking to make seafood a delicious, easy and healthy choice in their meal planning.

"Our goal is to provide full-service to our customers, wherever they are, across our complete selection of products," said Jim Faro. "Whether a convenience store or supermarket, restaurant or institutional dining hall, we deliver the right products at the right time that are ready to eat, and ideal to meet both today's demanding consumer and retailer needs."

As an industry leader in seafood sustainability, National Fish & Seafood is also making strides in advancing responsible aquaculture – to increase both seafood quality and social accountability in its production to the highest levels possible, worldwide. The company has worked together with the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) to develop their Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) third-party certification program, and on April 1, 2015, Penver Products, in conjunction with National Fish & Seafood, became the first ever group to achieve four-star BAP status in India, for shrimp or any species*.  Also in April 2015, Suryamitra Exim (P) Ltd., working together with National Fish & Seafood, is India's second group to achieve four-star BAP status. National Fish and Suryamitra are now preparing to certify an additional 150 acres of farms, significantly increasing the group's offerings of four-star shrimp.

"The four-star status is one of the highest achievements that farmed seafood can obtain and provides our customers with confidence in the safety and sustainability of National Fish & Seafood products," said James Baros, Aquaculture and Sustainability Coordinator, National Fish & Seafood. "We take our hats off to Penver and Suryamitra for their commitment to sustainable aquaculture as demonstrated by the distinction of becoming India's first two BAP 4-star groups.  We are pleased to have such motivated, forward thinking partners and we will continue to work with both companies to improve aquaculture practices on small farms and boost the supply of 4-star shrimp to the world."

The four-star designation signifies BAP certification at each facility along the supply chain.  Four-star shrimp were grown on a certified farm, from seed derived from a certified hatchery, fed a diet produced in a certified feed mill, and processed in a certified processing facility. This high level of certification guarantees that every stage of production has met the rigorous standards set by the BAP to ensure environmental protection, social accountability, animal welfare, and food safety.

Jack Ventola, President of National Fish & Seafood said, "We are proud of the many milestones already achieved to kick-off a strong 2015. We are raising the bar for standards in farm raised seafood worldwide, continually committed to providing the best product to our customers, and always seeking new ways to improve quality and ensure the supply of delicious seafood and innovative new products to our buyers."

Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with National Fish & Seafood please contact Jackie Lucas, Warner Communications at [email protected] or 978-255-1159. High-resolution images and additional information are available upon request.

*The listing can be found by visiting: http://bap.gaalliance.org/find-certified-facilities/ and searching for: 'national fish & seafood'

About National Fish & Seafood

National Fish & Seafood, a U.S.-based division of Pacific Andes Group, is a national supplier/partner of seafood to major retailers, distributors, institutional food service and restaurant chains located across the United States.  Every year the company sources, processes and distributes more than 11,500 tons of frozen raw fish fillets and shrimp, cooked shrimp and breaded fish and seafood products under its National Fish, Matlaw's and Schooner brands. Matlaw's famous stuffed clams are the #1 selling seafood appetizer in the United States.

The vast sourcing and production capabilities of Pacific Andes along with its strong financial backing give National Fish & Seafood the resources to fulfill commercial and retail orders of any size. In addition, the company maintains its own 66,000 square foot, SQF Level 3 certified processing facility located adjacent to its headquarters in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Visit www.NationalFish.com to learn more.

Media Contact: Jackie Lucas, Warner Communications; [email protected]; 978-255-1159

SOURCE National Fish & Seafood

Related Links

http://www.NationalFish.com