March 8, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded nearly USD 47.5 million (EUR 43.8 million) worth of Alaska pollock contracts to seafood processors Trident Seafoods and Channel Fish Processing.
Additionally, the agency has awarded USD 29.3 million (EUR 27 million) in domestic catfish contracts destined for federal nutrition programs and USD 24.7 million (EUR 22.8 million) to several Louisiana-based seafood processors to supply U.S. shrimp.
February 18, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking seafood suppliers to bid on significant quantities of domestic pollock, shrimp, and catfish.
The agency is asking for bids on more than 21 million pounds of Alaska pollock fillets, nuggets, and sticks for household food distribution through food banks. Offers are due by 27 February for deliveries that will be made between April and June 2025.
January 21, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to purchase USD 50 million (EUR 48 million) worth of Alaska pollock in 2025 in support of the federal government’s food bank and nutrition programs.
“We all appreciate the quick response by USDA to address the needs of the seafood industry and, at the same time, food-insecure Americans by committing to purchase what may be more than 15 million pounds of wild Alaska pollock products,” Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Global Food Aid Director Bruce Schactler said in a statement. “These nutritious seafood products, which may include fillet portions, fish sticks, and nuggets, will strengthen the nutrition profile of USDA offerings as recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans while at the same time helping to address the extreme market challenges that are so present and causing so much disruption across the entire Alaska seafood industry.”
January 10, 2025 — Good news for Alaska’s seafood industry and for food-insecure Americans across the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a major purchase of Alaska pollock, benefiting both communities in need and the state’s struggling fisheries.
The USDA plans to purchase up to $50 million worth of Alaska pollock. This initiative will provide high-quality, sustainable seafood to food banks and aid organizations nationwide, offering a vital source of nutrition to those in need.
November 22, 2024 — Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafoods won the majority of new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) contracts to supply Alaska wild pollock.
Trident will supply USD 1.6 million (EUR 1.5 million) worth of pollock out of a total USD 2.05 million (EUR 2 million) worth of contracts, while Channel Fish Processing in Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S.A., will supply around USD 448,000 (EUR 423,000) in pollock.
November 19, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated its guidance for purchasing salmon products, incorporating new requirements from NOAA Fisheries’ Seafood Inspection Program as well as other changes.
The updates were issued through the department’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Supplement 507 document, which outlines the government’s requirements for purchasing salmon products for the country’s National School Lunch Program and other federal nutrition programs. AMS posted its Final Supplement 507 for salmon products 7 November, replacing the previous documentation issued in 2021.
November 1, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking 270,000 pounds of domestically farmed catfish that it aims to put toward domestic food programs.
Interested companies must submit bids to participate by 5 November, and winning suppliers will make deliveries between January and June 2025.
October 2, 2024 — Hawaii’s seafood industry has long been a mix of local catches and imported products, with many consumers unaware of where the fish on their plates truly comes from. Despite the state’s 10-year average of 17.4 million pounds of annual seafood landings from 2000 to 2009, Hawaii still imports about half of its seafood.
While some local spots, like Poke by the Pound in Kalihi, proudly use fresh, locally caught fish, most poke sold in retail and restaurants is imported. With rising concerns over transparency and sustainability, Hawaii isn’t alone—other states, like Louisiana, are also grappling with misleading seafood labeling practices.
A recent source shared that a restaurant called Poke by the Pound in Kalihi strictly used fresh, locally caught fish for their poke bowls, leaving locals and customers with remarks about the freshness of the fish used there. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that all seafood that is stored at stores in the country be labeled with a country-of-origin label; however, once products are prepared- such as poke- the label is no longer required.
September 3, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded contracts for seafood from the Pacific Northwest worth more than USD 17 million (EUR 15 million), following requests from politicians and seafood organizations to do so.
Clackamas, Oregon, U.S.A.-based Dulcich, which owns Pacific Seafood, snagged the largest portion of the contracts – USD 9.3 million (EUR 8.4 million) for Pacific whiting.
July 17, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is planning to purchase USD 22 million (EUR 20 million) worth of Pacific rockfish and whiting (hake) from fishermen along the U.S. West Coast.
The USDA will buy USD 14 million (EUR 12 million) in West Coast whiting fillets and USD 8 million (EUR 7 million) in rockfish fillets, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), along with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Oregon), and U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon), said in a press release.
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