September 27, 2013 — Executives from two multinational corporations told a Senate subcommittee in Washington D.C. Sept. 24 they are willing to consider several sources to assure the sustainability of seafood purchased for their vast retail and food service businesses.
At the same time, neither retail giant Walmart, nor Sodexo, which does millions of dollars in business with federal government agencies and many private sector entities in food services and facilities management, have yet to lift their commitment to seafood certification via the Marine Stewardship Council.
The Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard, chaired by Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, was held to explore ways to make sure current and future sustainability certification efforts benefit both the seafood industry and consumers.
This past summer Begich took Walmart to task for policies that could prevent the purchase of Alaska seafood for sale in Walmart stores nationwide. Begich also sent a letter to Sodexo voicing concern over its policies which could exclude the purchase of Alaska seafood.
The hearing, which was webcast live, is archived online here along with copies of statements from Jeffrey Rice, senior director of sustainability for Walmart Stores; Michael Montelongo, senior vice president, Sodexo, Inc., and four others who testified.
Read the full story at The Cordova Times