PHILADELPHIA—As a responsible participant in the world’s seafood supply chain, Aramark, a global provider of dining solutions to businesses, schools, universities, hospitals and stadiums, is making significant progress toward its 2018 commitment to purchase 100 percent of its U.S. contracted seafood from sources that meet Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program recommendations. Today, 90 percent of the company’s frozen finfish and 100 percent of canned tuna purchases meet the Seafood Watch recommendations and by the end of 2018, the company expects to have transitioned all salmon and shrimp products to Seafood Watch “Best Choice” and “Good Alternative” categories.
“Responsible and sustainable practices have always been a fundamental part of our mission to enrich and nourish lives,” said Scott Barnhart, Aramark’s Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Procurement. “We are committed to driving continuous improvement throughout our sourcing process and working with our partners to meet and exceed our sustainable seafood goals.”
“Seafood Watch applauds Aramark’s business leadership,” said Jennifer Dianto-Kemmerly, Director of Global Fisheries and Aquaculture, Monterey Bay Aquarium. “From their responsible canned tuna policy, to calling for stronger tuna fisheries management with international governments, to working with the supply chain to increase transparency, Aramark continues to demonstrate the important role business can play in driving sustainability.”
‘At Risk’ Species Avoided
The company is also working to avoid purchasing “at risk” species as defined by Seafood Watch, address human rights abuses, and support responsible management practices, such as requiring its suppliers to ensure that seafood products such as albacore and skipjack tuna are not transshipped—transferred from one boat to another while at sea. Click here to view Aramark’s 2017 Progress Report.
Aramark’s sustainable seafood sourcing commitments are part of the company’s Green Thread environmental sustainability platform, which focuses on:
- Increasing procurement of local, seasonal and responsibly sourced products;
- Reducing, reusing and recycling food and other waste;
- Conserving energy and water and providing healthy environments; and
- Reducing fuel consumption and minimizing emissions.
