Bumble Bee Foods has formed a joint distribution venture with Gathered Foods Corporation, the maker of Good Catch plant-based seafood products.
Through the partnership, the companies aim to meet the growing demand for plant-based seafood.
The venture reportedly marks Bumble Bee as the first major seafood company to partner with a plant-based seafood brand.
As part of the joint venture, USA-based Bumble Bee said it will leverage its sales, distribution and logistics expertise to ensure that consumers nationwide have access to Good Catch products at affordable prices.
“Bumble Bee has always been deeply committed to sustainable fishing and we have been actively working to manage fish stocks across our portfolio,” said Jan Tharp, president and CEO for Bumble Bee Foods.
Tharp added: “It is critically important that as an industry we continue to find innovative solutions to decouple growth with environmental impact. Providing great-tasting alternative ways for consumers to enjoy ocean-inspired foods is a key pillar of our long-term commitment to ocean health.”
Chris Kerr, CEO and co-founder of Good Catch, said: “In forming this partnership with a forward-thinking and deeply rooted company like Bumble Bee we can reach far more consumers who want fish-alternative products. We’re excited Bumble Bee is taking this bold step for the industry, for the oceans and the beautiful beings that live in it.”
Earlier this year, Gathered Foods secured the backing of General Mills and Maple Leaf Foods as part of a Series B funding round valued at more than $32 million.
The maker of Good Catch plant-based seafood products said it would use proceeds from the investment to expand distribution across North America, Europe and into Asia, to open a new manufacturing facility and to launch additional products early this year.
Bumble Bee Foods, meanwhile, last year filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and agreed to sell its assets to Taiwan-based FCF Fishery for about $925 million.
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