Pier Fish Co., Inc., a New Bedford, Mass.-based seafood distributor, teamed up with Sealed Air’s Food Care division to showcase a new seafood packaging application.

“We have seen an increased need for convenient solutions among retailers, but those solutions cannot forfeit quality or presentation factor,” says Scott Bode, chief operations officer for Pier Fish. “As shoppers’ disposable income continues to rise, coupled with health and nutrition trends that emphasize the importance of eating lean proteins such as seafood, I’m certain the demand for innovative packaging solutions will persist.”

Pier Fish selected the Cryovac Darfresh 10K OTR Vacuum Skin Package from Sealed Air Corp., Elmwood Park, N.J.

According to Pier Fish, the application that allows retailers to purchase, thaw and sell fresh, previously frozen product all in the same packaging is considered to be ground-breaking technology. While this new packaging application is ideal for retailers of all sizes, is an especially appealing option for those without a full-service seafood counter.

“At Pier Fish, we evolve and grow with our customers, and this packaging technology speaks to that,” says Bode. “We understand what retailers need, and we work to find the right solutions for our customers while delivering the highest quality product and service.”

In addition to maintaining excellent safety standards, taste, freshness, presentation and shelf-life quality post-thaw, the packaging application dramatically reduces retailer’s seafood shrink rate. This means retailers see a substantial reduction in food waste overall.

“We are absolutely thrilled to witness Pier Fish’s accomplishments through utilizing our 10K OTR Vacuum Skin Package,” says Sean Brady, market development manager for Sealed Air Food Care. “Pier Fish has an incredible legacy of providing only the highest quality product and customer service. We’re honored to do business with a company that mirrors our values at Sealed Air.”