Joining a series of household names from across the supply chain, retail giant Tesco, UK household favourite Birds Eye, and international hotel network Hilton Worldwide, are the latest to back the eight day celebration of fish and shellfish.
Following successful participation in last year’s campaign, which generated an estimated £18 million benefit to the seafood industry, Tesco is back on board for 2016.
Andrew Haigh, Tesco Buying Manager – Fish, said: “We are very excited to be a part of Seafood Week this year. Seafood offers customers healthy and convenient options and Seafood Week is a fantastic initiative to help showcase this to customers. Earlier this year we also announced a number of measures, in partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council, which means we are sourcing even more of our seafood in a sustainable way.”
Birds Eye has also shown their support by striking a deal with organisers Seafish to become a partner for the campaign. The global brand will benefit from their products being promoted as part of a wider marketing and advertising campaign which aims to encourage people to eat more seafood.
Birds Eye Marketing Director Steve Chantry said: “This will be the first year Birds Eye is involved with the Seafood Week initiative and we’re looking forward to taking part as we encourage Brits to eat more fish at home.
“As a leader in the frozen fish category and a brand that is loved across the UK, our fish heritage is incredibly important to us and to our consumers. This Seafood Week will therefore see the brand working with many of our much-loved fish icons, including fish fingers and the recently returned Captain Birdseye, as we help shoppers create delicious, nutritious meals.”
Hilton Worldwide is supporting the campaign for the second year. Dominique Piquemal, Vice President, Food & Beverage Strategy, Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “Seafood Week is an excellent opportunity to showcase the very best of seafood to diners and we are delighted to support the initiative again this year.
“Hilton Worldwide has a long term commitment to responsible sourcing and is dedicated to maintaining the highest culinary standards in our hotels. It is critical to include sustainable fishing practices in our sourcing strategy to ensure seafood continues to be available in the future. Seafood is a popular choice with our guests, and with clear MSC labelling now on our menus in nearly 50 hotels in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium, we are giving our guests greater choice with the seafood they choose to enjoy in our hotels.”
Seafish Corporate Relations Director Mel Groundsell welcomed all three brands’ participation and said: “It’s fantastic news that such well-known and well-respected businesses are getting on board for Seafood Week. Like us, these household brands recognise the value of sustainable, healthy seafood and will be helping us get more people eating more of it this October.
“I’d encourage any business involved in the seafood supply chain to get involved - there are great opportunities on offer and the more we work together, the louder that ‘more fish, more often’ message will be.”
Seafood Week will be held from 7-14 October.
