Seafood at Retail
FMI Retail Seafood Communications Calendar
The Food Marketing Institute’s seafood council developed a monthly Seafood Calendar to highlight opportunities to educate consumers about seafood and its health benefits.
Click here to view Seafood Nutrition Partnership’s 2020 Communications Calendar.
Planning your New Year’s resolution? Seafood is a healthy choice. Start the New Year off on your healthy foot — or gill, as we like to say.
- Seafood for Thought: Live Smarter & Healthier with Seafood (PDF)
- Family Nutrition Tips one pager (PDF)
What We’re Celebrating This Month:
- National Soup Month
- National Slow Cooking Month
- Pinterest board: Seafood in the Slow Cooker
What’s in Season:
- Fish: Alaska Cod, Flounder, Haddock, Mahi Mahi, Snapper
- Shellfish: Clams, Crab Claws, Lobster, Mussels, Oysters, Sea Scallops
Hashtags: #Seafood4Health #Seafood2xWk
Sample Social Media Posts:
- Start your #NewYear off on the right gill – with #Seafood2xWk that is. This [fill in recipe from your retailer] is an excellent place to begin – packed with of #Omega3s and veggies.
- #DYK: The Dietary Guidelines recommends eating two servings of seafood each week. Take the #Seafood2xWk pledge and add some #seafood to your plate this year.
American Heart Month: Seafood is a heart-healthy choice
February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, in fact 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.
This Valentine’s Day, be heart healthy and choose seafood.
- Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. This month is the perfect time to try some heart-healthy seafood recipes with your family and friends.
- The American Heart Association recommends 1,000mg EPA+DHA per day for patients with coronary heart disease, and two meals of oily fish per week for people without heart disease.
- American Heart Association Heart Check-approved seafood recipes
- Blog: What Seafood is Highest in Omega-3s?
- Health Fact: Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
- Health Fact: Heart Disease Prevention
- NOAA Video: Learn About the Seafood You Love
What We’re Celebrating This Month:
- Valentine’s Day
- Canned Food Month
What’s in Season:
- Fish: Alaska Cod, Flounder, Grouper, Haddock, Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Striped Bass
- Shellfish: Clams, Crab Claws, Lobster, Mussels, Oysters, Sea Scallops
Hashtags: #HeartHealth
Sample Social Media Posts:
- This Valentine’s Day/National Wear Red Day/American Heart Month, show yourself some love and eat #Seafood2xWk for optimal #HeartHealth. Need inspiration? Check out these @AmericanHeart approved #recipes: https://recipes.heart.org/en/collections/ingredients/seafood
Focus on informing and educating your consumers about seafood: different types of species (education on non-traditional fish), information about sustainability, etc.
Focus on employee knowledge, for example, farm-raised seafood and safe, sustainable imports
What We’re Celebrating This Month:
- Lent begins March 6, 2019
- March Madness NCAA Basketball Tournament
- Appetizer recipes as well as ready-to-eat or prepared foods at retail: white fish salad, crab dip, shrimp rings
- National Frozen Foods Month
- National Nutrition Month (and March 13, 2019 is National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day)
- This is a good opportunity to send a note of thanks or a little gift basket to the registered dietitians on your team, whether at the corporate level or in stores. Showing your appreciation goes a long way in them helping support your efforts throughout the year!
What’s in Season:
- Fish: Alaska Cod, Flounder, Grouper, Haddock, Mahi Mahi, Shad Roe, Striped Bass
- Shellfish: Clams, Crab Claws, Lobster, Mussels, Sea Scallops
Hashtags: #Fish4Lent #FishFriday #FishFacts #NutritionMonth
Sample Social Media Posts:
- #FishFriday never looked so good with so many delicious, affordable and easy seafood recipes to enjoy during #Lent: https://www.seafoodnutrition.org/recipes/ [OR link to your retailer’s seafood recipes]. #Fish4Lent
Seafood is a responsible and sustainable choice. Promote, discuss and educate around seafood sustainability.
Key messages:
- The United States is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood–both wild-caught and farmed.
- U.S. fishermen and fish farmers operate under some of the most robust and transparent environmental standards in the world: NOAA Fisheries works to advance and export sustainable management practices internationally, establish and maintain a level the playing field for our fishermen and fish farmers, and maintain confidence in U.S. seafood products and access to the global marketplace.
- The U.S. has taken a leadership role in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud–including through the establishment of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program to identify illegal and/or misrepresented product from entering the U.S. market.
- NOAA Feature Story: Canary Rockfish–A Story of U.S. Fisheries Management
- NOAA: Understanding Sustainable Seafood
- NOAA Video: What Does ‘Sustainable’ Mean?
- NOAA Web Story/Video: Sustainable Seafood: A U.S. Fisherman’s Perspective
- NOAA Video: Get to Know Your Seafood from Ocean to Plate
- SNP Blog: Seafood Certifications
- NFI Blog: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Seafood
- NFI Blog: Global Seafood Table & Sustainability
What We’re Celebrating This Month:
- Earth Month / Earth Day (April 22, 2019)
- National Garlic Month
- National Minority Health Month
- Final Four NCAA Basketball Championships (April 6-8)
- Appetizer recipes as well as ready-to-eat or prepared foods at retail: white fish salad, crab dip, shrimp rings
What’s in Season:
- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Grouper, Shad Roe, Striped Bass
- Shellfish: Clams, Crab Claws, Lobster, Mussels, Sea Scallops
Hashtags: #SeafoodSustainability
Promote new catch, new season seafood. Discuss seasonality with consumers and employees.
- Copper River salmon season opens
What We’re Celebrating This Month:
- Cinco de Mayo
- National Shrimp Day (May 10)
- See several recipes and videos in the Species sidebar
- SNP Blog: 4 Ways to Celebrate National Shrimp Day
- NFI Blog: Winner, Winner, Mardi Gras Shrimp for Dinner
- National Women’s Health Week (May 12-18, 2019)
- Mother’s Day
What’s in Season:
- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Bluefish, Grouper, Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Sockeye Salmon, Striped Bass
- Shellfish: Clams, Lobster, Mussels, Sea Scallops, Soft Shell Crab
Hashtags: #SeasonalSeafood #AlaskaSeafood
Seafood on the grill is easy, fast and fun.
- Blog post: Indirect Heat: The Easiest Way to Grill Fish
- Video: Barton Seaver shows you How to Grill Fish
- Blog post: Three Quick Tips for Grilling Seafood
- Recipe: Grilled Skin-On Fish Fillets with Marinated Citrus Salad by Chef Barton Seaver
- Species to highlight: Tuna steaks, mahi mahi & swordfish are great for grilling and are in season
What We’re Celebrating This Month:
- NBA Finals
- NBA MVP Kevin Durant’s Winning Diet: Fish and Vegetables Before Games
- Recipe: Harissa Spiced Salmon with Asparagus Salad by NBA All Star Kevin Durant’s personal chef, Ryan Lopez
- Men’s Health Month and National Men’s Health Week
- Father’s Day (June 16)
- National Lobster Day (June 15) – see Species sidebar for facts and recipes
- National Sushi Day (June 18)
- National Catfish Day (June 25) – see Species sidebar for facts and recipes
What’s in Season:
- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Bluefish, Grouper, Keta Salmon, Mackerel, Sockeye Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Turbot
- Shellfish: Blue Crabs, Clams, Mussels, Sea Scallops, Soft Shell Crab
Hashtags: #FishOnTheGrates
Promote domestic seafood: Alaska, Gulf, local to your area etc.
Emphasize what local is: in some areas, any US source is local.
- NOAA: US is Best Managed Fisheries
- NOAA Web Story: The Surprising Story of Swordfish You May Not Know
- Web Story: NOAA Fisheres’ Seafood Inspection Laboratory
- NOAA Video: Seafood – Something for Everyone
- NOAA Video: Get to Know Your Seafood from Ocean to Plate
- NOAA Web Story: Seafood Industry, Scientists Team up to Make Most of Opah – A New Opportunity for Seafood Chefs
- NOAA Web Story: New Reports Highlight Value of U.S. Fishing and Seafood
- ASMI: Alaska Seafood
- Alabama Seafood
- Gulf Coast Seafood
- Indiana: Commercial Fish Producers
- Maine: Gulf of Maine Research Institute
- NC Catch
- West Coast Ground Fish
What We’re Celebrating this Month:
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- National Picnic Month
What’s in Season/Species to Highlight:
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- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Grey Sole, Keta Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Turbot
- Shellfish: Blue Crabs, Clams, Mussels, Sea Scallops, Shrimp
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Hashtags: #USseafood #AlaskaSeafood
Seafood from around the world. Educate the consumer and the employees on global product. Global seafood is still a responsible choice.
What’s in Season/Species to Highlight:
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- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Coho Salmon, Grey Sole, Keta Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Turbot
- Shellfish: Blue Crabs, New Shell Lobster, Sea Scallops, Shrimp
Hashtags: #LittleSeafoodies
Back to school: cooking seafood is simple and quick during this busy time of the year. 25% of the case is ready to eat. Seafood is a convenient dinner choice now that parents are pressed for time.
- Little Seafoodies campaign from Seafood Nutrition Partnership has materials to share, including posters, signage, tip and recipe cards, kids activity booklets, sample digital posts and more
- Blog: Health Goodies for Little Seafoodies: Benefits of Seafood for Kids
- Blog: Seafood Gets Straight As: Why Kids Should Eat Fish
- Blog: How to Turn Kids Into Seafoodies
- Blog: Back to School Seafood Tips with School Food Service Director Joe Urban
Tie in with weekend football and other sports activities: soccer, cheer etc.
What We’re Celebrating this Month:
- National Family Meals Month: Resources from FMI
What’s in Season/Species to Highlight:
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- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Coho Salmon, Grey Sole, Keta Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Turbot
- Shellfish: Blue Crabs, New Shell Lobster, Oyster, Sea Scallops, Shrimp
Hashtags: #FamilyMeals
Focus on consuming more seafood: how to cook, health benefits, etc.
FOR NATIONAL SEAFOOD MONTH IN OCTOBER,
WE ARE BRINGING THE FOCUS BACK TO FAMILY.
Magic happens during family mealtime when children and parents gather around the table and engage each other in conversation. Family meals eaten at home have been proven to benefit the health of children, to fight obesity and substance abuse, and to make families stronger—creating a positive impact on our communities and our nation. LEARN MORE in a joint FMI and SNP retail toolkit.
- The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Seafood
- NOAA Web Story: America’s Heartland is Key Play in Aquaculture
What We’re Celebrating this Month:
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- National Pasta Month
What’s in Season/Species to Highlight:
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- Fish: Alaska Halibut, Coho Salmon, Flounder, Grey Sole, Haddock, Swordfish
- Shellfish: Blue Crabs, King Crab, New Shell Lobster, Oysters, Sea Scallops, Stone Crab Claws
Hashtags: #SeafoodMonth
How will you celebrate with seafood? Focus on Thanksgiving and weekend football parties.
Shellfish focus: Clams, oysters, etc.
What We’re Celebrating this Month:
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- National Diabetes Education Month
- National Alzheimer’s Disease and Awareness Month
- Blog: Healthy Aging with More Seafood and Omega-3s
- Fact Sheet: Healthy Aging
- Fact Sheet: Mental Health
What’s in Season/Species to Highlight:
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- Fish: Cod, Flounder, Grey Sole, Haddock, Mahi Mahi, Snapper
- Shellfish: Blue Crabs, Clams, Mussels, Nantucket Bay Scallops, Oysters, Sea Scallops, Stone Crab Claws
Hashtags: #CelebrateSeafood
Focus on home entertaining with seafood for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve.
What We’re Celebrating this Month:
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- Feast of the Seven Fishes
What’s in Season/Species to Highlight:
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- Fish: Cod, Flounder, Grey Sole, Haddock, Mahi Mahi, Snapper
- Shellfish: Clams, Lobster, Mussels, Oysters, Sea Scallops, Stone Crab Claws
Hashtags: #CelebrateSeafood
Image Library (Open Use)
Mussels in Garlic Broth (Photo by SNP) Sardines in Roma Tomatoes (Photo by SNP) Salmon over Cumin-Scented Black Bean Stew (Photo by SNP) Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner (Photo by SNP)
Scallop Ceviche (Photo by SNP) Baked Mackerel (Photo by SNP) Parmesan-Crusted Pollock (Photo by SNP) Trout Almondine (Photo by SNP) Clam-Stuffed Baked Potato (Photo by SNP) Fish Tacos (Photo by SNP) Salad with Chunk Tuna (Photo by SNP) Baked Mackerel Bites (Photo by SNP) Homemade Fish Sticks (Photo by SNP) Clam Risotto (Photo by SNP)
Which Fish Is Richest in Omega-3s Chart
Seafood Nutrition Partnership created a one-page resource highlighting best choices when it comes to omega-3 in various species.
Health organizations suggest an intake of at least 250 to 500 milligrams of omega-3 EPA+DHA per day. Find out which seafood has the most omega-3s:
Facts and Recipes by Species
Arctic char is a cold water fish in the same family as salmon, and similar in terms of delicious, fattier flesh. Char, however, is a more delicate texture and clean, mild flavor similar to trout. The higher fat content in Arctic char, which translates to more than 1 gram of heart-healthy omega-3s per serving, makes it well-suited for dry-heat cooking. Mostly imported from Iceland and Canada, Arctic char is considered a “best choice” in terms of sustainability.
Fun fact:
Clams have more vitamin B-12 per serving than any other food — 1,868% of the daily value*, to be exact. B-12 keeps nerves and blood cells healthy, balancing mood and fighting fatigue.
Atlantic surfclams burrow into sandy bottoms on the continental shelf, an environment that is thought to recover quickly after a hydraulic clam dredge passes over it. The bars on commercial clam dredges are spaced several inches apart so they do not collect anything but the targeted surfclams.
Recipes:
- Loaded Baked Potato with Little Neck Clams
- Clam Chowder
- Clams in Pasta
Fun facts:
Cod is the leanest protein available, meaning the protein to calorie ratio beats out any other food. That could be why Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson eats it as one of his main protein sources — averaging 253 oz. of cod a week!
Haddock is a popular option for fish and chips (just choose baked to retain the nutrients!) because of its light, slightly sweet flavor. At just 100 calories a serving,* this lean, flaky white fish is full of B vitamins — B-6 and B-12, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and folate — as well as more than 50% DV of immune-boosting selenium.
Recipes:
Recipes:
Fun Facts:
Grouper is low in saturated fat, and a good source of vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, protein, and selenium.
Recipes:
Recipes:
Fun Facts:
Lobster is a tasty way to get a boost of thyroid-boosting iodine. A 100-gram serving of the crustacean provides 100 micrograms of the essential mineral, or 67% of the recommended daily intake.
Recipes:
Recipes:
- Steamed Mahimahi with Orange and Butternut Squash Sauce by Chef Barton Seaver
Feature Stories:
Fun Facts:
Oysters are pumping iron, well, at least they are providing it in abundance. A serving* has 60% of your daily needs — or if you’re just enjoying an appetizer, it’s about 4% DV for each oyster.
Great for the human health and the environment, too! An adult oyster can filter as much as 50 gallons of water a day, cleaning the waters it lives in.
Recipe ideas: Oyster dressing, grilled oysters, oyster po-boy
Web Features:
- Oyster Bar 101 with video: How Do You Shuck an Oyster
Fun Facts:
Wild Alaska Pollock is America’s most popular fish you’ve likely never heard of. Known for its versatility, “Snow White” pollock flakes beautifully and offers a lean texture and mild taste – that’s why you find it in family favorites such as Filet-O-Fish, fish sticks and delicious fish tacos. It boasts a whopping 27 grams of protein in just 127 calories, and even though it’s so lean, has more than 500mg of essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA+DHA per serving.*
Recipes:
- Blackened White Fish by Chef Barton Seaver
- Tasty Homemade Fish Sticks with Yogurt-Dill Dip
Feature Stories:
Recipes:
- Shallow Poached Pacific Rockfish with Apples and Almonds by Chef Barton Seaver
Fun Facts:
(Wild) Salmon is helping fight American’s Vitamin D deficiency with 100% of your daily “sunny D.”* Vitamin D is a bone-strengthening vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Salmon with Miso Glaze and Green Beans
- Pesto Salmon and Zoodles in Parchment
- Slow Roasted Salmon with Minted Cucumbers by Chef Barton Seaver
- Salmon & Rice Packets with Fennel, Orange & Raisins (recipe courtesy of USA Rice)
- Teriyaki Salmon with Gingered Vegetable Rice (recipe courtesy of USA Rice)
- Cumin Scented Salmon with Black Bean Stew
- Hearty Salmon Skewers over Brown Rice
Fun Facts:
Sardines are considered to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They boast 43% of your daily value of calcium, because of the tiny, edible bones, plus another whopping 169% of your daily vitamin B-12, 85% of selenium and 56% of phosphorus.*
Recipes:
Recipes:
- Scallop Ceviche with Sweet & Spicy Peppers by Top Chef Kerry Heffernan
- Seared Scallops with Crispy Leeks
- Griddled Scallops with Mint and Lemon by Chef Barton Seaver
- Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon and Garlic Pasta
Fun facts:
Shrimp is a lean protein and a great source of selenium (80% DV) and iodine (30%), which are both helpful in thyroid support, and a healthy thyroid supports a healthy metabolism.*
May 10 is National Shrimp Day. Shrimp is the most popular seafood options in America for many reasons – it’s versatile, easy to cook, tasty, and a good source of lean protein. In fact, in 3 ounces of shrimp you can find 20 grams of protein. Shrimp is also packed with vitamin B12, choline, and selenium, which helps support heart health, boost immunity and flight inflammation.
Blog: Storing Shrimp Properly
Recipes:
- Old Bay Shrimp Stacks
- Weeknight Shrimp Spaghetti with Spinach
- NFI Recipe & Video: Our Favorite Light Shrimp Scampi Skewers Recipe
- NFI Recipe & Video: A Lightened-Up Tailgating Recipe: Skinny Baked Popcorn Shrimp
- NFI Recipe: Instant Pot Recipe: Shrimp & Cheesy-Chive Grits
Fun Facts:
Swordfish is naturally packed with Vitamin D, a bone-strengthening vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods.
- NOAA Web Story: The Surprising Story of Swordfish You May Not Know
Recipes:
Recipes:
- Tilapia with Ginger Glaze by Chef Barton Seaver
* Note: Fun Facts statistics are based on 4 oz. servings, cooked, dry heat. Data from USDA Nutrient Database.
We are bringing the focus back to family.
Magic happens during family mealtime when children and parents gather around the table and engage each other in conversation. Family meals eaten at home have been proven to benefit the health of children, to fight obesity and substance abuse, and to make families stronger—creating a positive impact on our communities and our nation.
Join us as we work collaboratively with retailers from across the country to bring families back to the table.
Seafood Nutrition Partnership is working with the Food Marketing Institute Foundation to emphasize the importance of family meals, expanding National Family Meals Month throughout the year and into a true movement — the Family Meals Movement.