A key market promoter of wild Alaska Pollock says its partners are preparing to launch new products featuring the nutritious, sustainable white fish.
The announcement was made in mid-September by the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), which recently awarded over $1.6 million in funding to 14 partners that are engaged in creating new products.
GAPP’s chief executive officer, Craig Morris, said competition ranged from the Hawaiian firm Okuhara Foods to a luxury branded retailer and a significant foodservice distributor.
“You’re going to see wild Alaska Pollock products popping up in countless new ways, places and menus in the coming year thanks to these partners and their vision for our fish,” he said.
In addition to new partners, GAPP focused on new products — especially in the growing surimi seafood category — including seven of the 20 projects funded, including Trans-Ocean and Okuhara Foods. Trans-Ocean plans campaigns utilizing influencers and digital content to raise consumer consciousness on possibilities around their crab Classic surimi seafood brand. Okuhara Foods plans to relaunch its Fishcake brand and launch a new Pupu Paste product.
Also, a national food service distributor will unveil a new tempura California Roll to food service customers this fall, Morris said.
Other awarded partners include Gorton’s Seafood, High Liner Foods, Alaska Naturals and Pure Catch Nutritional Supplements. Their new brands will include Gorton’s new air-fried fish fillets; new Catch & Fetch pet treats made from wild Alaska Pollock; Pure Catch Nutritional Supplements made from wild Alaska Pollock fish oil; and High Liner Foods’ Alaska wild wings as a core item for a national chain. Neptune Snacks was funded for a second year for expansion of its wild Alaska Pollock jerky line.
A Southern California regional chain of restaurants and others will feature Alaska Pollock on their menus and Lucky Louis Fish Shack the Seattle-Tacoma airport will offer for a limited time fish tacos and fish-taco-inspired bowls, Morris said. Also, a new partner King & Prince Seafood is collaborating with GAPP to promote its Alaska Pollock Fish Fillet Sandwich in a convenience store channel throughout the Midwest during Lent, he added.