Company’s expansion good for Suffolk

Published 10:10 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Suffolk is getting a whale of a deal with an investment by Cooke Seafood USA in its Wanchese Fish Company facility in Suffolk.

The company recently announced it has struck a deal with one of the most iconic names in food — Martha Stewart — and that the Suffolk facility will be processing four new Martha Stewart products that will debut at the Seafood Expo North America later this month.

The delicious options will include Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter, Sockeye Salmon with Miso Butter, Wild Alaska Pollock with Southwest Spice Blend and a Seafood Medley — consisting of Wild Alaska Pollock, Atlantic Salmon and Bay Scallops — with a Herb Spice Blend.

Email newsletter signup

This deal isn’t just good for the seafood-lover’s palate; it’s also great for the Suffolk economy, which is getting about 70 new jobs out of the $2.8 million expansion deal. The expansion also includes the establishment of new corporate offices. This expansion represents more private employment in Suffolk as well as more tax dollars for the city’s coffers.

The expansion is what’s making possible the production of the new Martha Stewart for True North Seafood retail line.

“Certainly, the investments that we’re making in Wanchese are a result of the significant impact of the Martha Stewart product line in terms of developing that product line and production there in Suffolk,” said Joel Richardson, vice president of public relations for Cooke Aquaculture.

With Lipton Tea’s longstanding history here and several companies including Massimo Zanetti producing coffee products in Suffolk, the city has branded itself the Caffeine Capital. But we’re starting to think everybody’s favorite caffeinated beverages might soon lose their crown to seafood.

That’s a tasty outcome no matter what.