U.S. Foodservice to Offer MSC-Certified Sustainable Seafood

U.S. Foodservice and the Marine Stewardship Council(MSC), announced the introduction of 28 new MSC certified sustainable seafood products to the U.S. Foodservice Harbor Banks® brand.

U.S. Foodservice, one of the nation’s largest broadline food distributors is
the first foodservice distributor to offer products that carry the blue MSC eco-label. The MSC eco-label indicates to buyers that the seafood item comes from a
fishery that is sustainable and environmentally responsible. The MSC has a
stringent and widely respected international standard for assessing wild-capture
fisheries and the traceability of seafood.

The current MSC-labeled Harbor Banks products include a range of seafood
from MSC-certified fisheries, including pollock, halibut, keta salmon and sockeye
salmon. Smoked, skinless keta and sockeye salmon sides as well as pollock
loins and fillets are available currently; additional keta salmon and halibut
products will be available soon. The Alaska fisheries that are the sources of
these products have completed a rigorous third-party assessment process to
ensure they meet the MSC’s stringent standard for sustainability of the fish stock,
minimal impact on the marine ecosystem and effective fishery management.

Kim Brown, U.S. Foodservice Vice President of Communications and Corporate
Responsibility, highlighted the important role that the foodservice industry can
play supporting sustainable food choices. "We are excited to be the first in the
foodservice distribution industry to offer MSC-certified products. The launch of our new MSC-certified seafood is just one way that U.S. Foodservice is making
sustainable choices more accessible to more people. With so many meals
enjoyed outside of the home, any viable sustainability strategy must include the
foodservice distribution industry and U.S. Foodservice is pleased to lead our
industry in this effort."

Brad Ack, regional director for MSC Americas, emphasized the importance of this
step by the foodservice sector to support sustainable seafood consumption. “U.S.
consumers are growing more aware of the issue of environmental sustainability
in the food they eat, and they are becoming more accustomed to looking for
sustainable food products on retailers’ shelves. With U.S. Foodservice’s
announcement that they will offer MSC-certified seafood to fine-dining
restaurants, cafes, hospitals and schools, people will have a much greater
opportunity to choose and enjoy sustainable seafood when dining out.”

This new partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council is just another way
that U.S. Foodservice continues to provide eco-friendly and sustainable product
offerings to its customers.

Harbor Banks is a registered trademark of U.S. Foodservice, Inc.