Wild seafood offers protein, flavor, and versatility
4 Min Read
As protein continues to explode in popularity, now is the perfect time for foodservice operators to boost sales of seafood. High in protein content and value, consumers love seafood for the health benefits, indulgent flavors and wide range of formats and preparations. Diners also seek foods that are sustainably sourced, making wild caught seafood from Alaska a natural fit for foodservice operators and menus everywhere.
For operators, the challenge is to find a seafood supply chain that is transparent, sustainable and reliable. Kitchen crews often don’t have sufficient time or resources for complicated menu items, so operators need dishes that are quick and easy to prepare. Wild caught seafood from Alaska is a solution that provides a nutritious, versatile protein source that can be featured in a variety of delicious, healthy and on-trend menu items.
According to The Power of Seafood 20251, 93% of consumers surveyed said they value the health benefits of seafood while viewing it as a high-quality, nutritious protein. The report also noted that many consumers lack the knowledge and confidence to prepare seafood dishes at home, providing foodservice operators with an opportunity to attract new customers who want craveable, nutritious seafood dishes, but may lack the confidence to buy and prepare those dishes at home.
Foodservice establishments have an opportunity to attract these consumers by featuring craveable seafood dishes on their menus throughout the year, and spotlighting seafood during select holidays and monthly observances where consumer demand for fish and shellfish typically increases.
October’s National Seafood Month is the perfect opportunity for foodservice operators and chefs to spotlight wild caught seafood from Alaska. This year, Trident Seafoods is proud to feature a full line of healthy, craveable seafood products sourced from the pristine waters of Alaska that can help operators offer innovative menu items to generate sales year-round.
Flavor innovation wins
According to Technomic2, in a recent survey of consumers, 35% of respondents identified “craveability” as their top need when deciding where to dine out. The survey also found that that 20% of consumers surveyed said “better for you” is their primary need state when selecting a restaurant. As a foodservice operator, the data is clear: consumers demand menu options that balance craveable flavors and better-for-you health attributes, especially from foods that are high in protein.
While seafood checks the box for consumers on most of their major demands, the key to achieving true menu success is to utilize products that can be prepared quickly and in multiple ways. From its high protein content to extreme versatility, the seafood products and offerings from Trident are the perfect way to add on-trend cachet and credibility to menus everywhere.
“Chefs and menu developers have so much flexible creativity with wild Alaska seafood,” says Morgan Gabriel, Executive Chef at Trident Seafoods. “From salmon to wild Alaska pollock and cod, these are the perfect, clean proteins that work across entrées, handheld snacks, and appetizers across cuisine types.”
For more than 50 years, Trident Seafoods, North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood harvesting and processing company, has provided foodservice operators with a full portfolio of seafood products. The privately held, 100% American owned company’s portfolio of offerings include battered and breaded products, Redi Grill, surimi and more.
Trident’s newest product is its Crispy Battered Sauceable Nuggets, The nuggets, made from sustainable wild Alaska pollock, received a 2026 Seafood Excellence Award at Seafood Expo North America (SENA) and was named SENA’s Best New Foodservice Product.
Crispy Battered Sauceable Nuggets are designed to be sauced and tossed, so the product is easily adaptable for craveable menu items. The nuggets have a neutral-savory batter coating and are perfect for formats such as orange-chicken style entrées, buffalo sauced-style wings and Mexican-inspired bowls. Hot honey, Indian-style masala or Asian-inspired citrus are flavorful options, or operators can create a specialty sauce for a National Seafood Month LTO.
For diners preferring the ease of takeout or delivery options, Crispy Battered Sauceable Nuggets hold their crunchy texture for more than an hour, even after they are sauced and hot-held.
Commitment to sustainability and supply chain transparency
Trident has more than 26 company-owned vessels, 10 Alaska-based shore plants and support operations, 10 Lower 48 value-added processing plants and sales offices, and partners with 2,700 independent fishermen and crews throughout Alaska. The company catches and processes virtually every commercial species of salmon, whitefish and crab harvested in the waters of the North Pacific and Alaska.
Guided by its Mission of working together to responsibly share wild Alaska seafood with the world, Trident strives to minimize environmental impacts throughout the supply chain, working with partners and vendors to reduce waste and maximize efficiency. Foodservice operators, restaurant owners and consumers who value supply chain transparency, a commitment to sustainability and a true fleet to fork experience can rest easy knowing that almost all of Trident’s seafood products are harvested from fisheries independently certified under the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative benchmarked assurance program.
For more information, visit https://tridentseafoods.com/food-service.
1 a report from FMI-The Food Industry Association
2 Ignite Consumer Q2 2024-Q1 2025 report
