Metcalfe’s Market #1 in Wisconsin for Seafood Sustainability

Metcalfe’s Market has been named the number one supermarket in Wisconsin for seafood sustainability by the environmental organization Greenpeace.

Greenpeace is an international organization focused on issues regarding oceans, forests and climate change, including campaigns for sustainable seafood.

Metcalfe’s, a local family-owned grocery store, received a ranking of 8.3 out of 10 on their scorecard, nearly two points above the next market, Super Target. Greenpeace also recognized Metcalfe’s as one among the top 10 in the nation for seafood sustainability.

In a statement regarding the market’s new distinction, Metcalfe’s Chief Food Officer and Local Food Liaison, Chef Leah Caplan said, “It’s thrilling that just by doing what we believe in, we ended up as the highest ranked store in Wisconsin and one of the top 10 in the country.  I hope many more will follow our lead, ensuring that our children and grandchildren will also get to enjoy the bounty of the oceans.”

The organization’s “supermarket scorecard” (link) rankings consider factors like the market’s seafood policies, sustainability initiatives and promotion and labeling of seafood to identify the most sustainable seafood markets across the country.

The number of unsustainable items, also called red list items, a market carries was also considered. Metcalfe’s currently sells eight red list items due to popularity and familiarity with customers, Marketing Director Beth Peterson said.

But with over 50 different seafood selections each day at Metcalfe’s, many of them fresh, the store has implemented a color system to help shoppers easily identify which seafood qualifies as sustainable and environmentally friendly (green), a smart alternative (yellow) or unsustainable and harmful to the environment (red), she said.

With fresh seafood coming into the market six days a week, Peterson said Metcalfe’s believes fresh is the best way to get seafood.

And coming up this weekend, Metcalfe’s has planned a two-day sustainable seafood sale on July 1 and 2 with choices ranging from lobster to tuna to tilapia. For more information about the sale got to Metcalfe’s Market website. (link)

Check back soon for more information about Metcalfe’s sustainable seafood program and what makes it number one in Wisconsin.