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Gathered Foods, the parent company of the plant-based seafood brand Good Catch Foods, announced its partnership with Long John Silver’s, a U.S.-based quick-service seafood chain. As part of this collaboration, Good Catch’s new line of breaded fish alternatives is available on a trial basis at five locations in California and Georgia.
Seafood chain’s first plant-based items
Opened in 1969, the quick-service seafood chain has 700 outlets across the U.S. and is known for its traditional fish and fries.
However, through this new partnership, Long John Silver’s is now offering flexitarian customers plant-based seafood options from the alternative seafood brand Good Catch. Data has revealed that in the U.S. alone, 60% of consumers are shifting to a flexitarian diet and over half of the young Americans are already flexitarians.
The menu’s first-time plant-based additions include a plant-based platter with two Fish-Free Fillets, two Crab-Free Cakes, and two sides; two plant-based meal options with Fish-Free Fillets or Crab-Free Cakes, each served with two sides. Apart from this, these items can be added as à la carte to any meal.
“We work with partners who share the vision of fishing smarter with less environmental impact, an aspect that we know is very important to Good Catch,” vice president, Marketing of Long John Silver’s, Christopher Caudill said in a statement. “We’re proud to have their plant-based products on our menu as a way to open our doors to a wider customer base who want to experience tasty seafood products in a more sustainable way.”
Products mimic seafood properties
Good Catch Foods is pioneered by chef brothers Derek and Chad Sarno, the same duo behind Wicked Kitchen.
The brand launched its latest products including Plant-Based Breaded Fish Fillets and Plant-Based Breaded Crab Cakes across the U.S, the same items that are now in the seafood chain’s menu.
The products are made with the company’s proprietary six-legume mix. This blend contains peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans, and navy beans, offering protein and lending a flakiness texture replicating the texture of seafood.
The Fish-Free Fillet has a flaky whitefish texture and is encased in a breading and the Crab-Free Cakes are entrée-sized with a crabmeat-like texture and flavour accompanied with sweet peppers, green onions, parsley, and a hint of spice.
We work with partners who share the vision of fishing smarter with less environmental impact, an aspect that we know is very important to Good Catch
Christopher Caudill, vice president, Marketing of Long John Silver’s
CEO of Gathered Foods, Christine Mei said: “We’re excited to propel change in quick-service restaurants by teaming up with Long John Silver’s. With the plant-based seafood sector expected to grow twelve-fold in the next ten years to US$1.3 billion, there’s room for dramatic growth. We’re proud to fuel the momentum by delivering the delicious taste, unmistakable texture, and comparable protein that consumers crave.”
Read: 10 reasons why you should reconsider eating seafood
Call to protect marine wildlife
Gathered Foods, its parent company partnered with Dr Sylvia Earle’s nonprofit Mission Blue for sponsorship and to raise awareness among consumers asking them to take action to protect the declining marine life. In the past, the company has raised US$26.3 million to expand its plant-based seafood mission across the world and has received backing from celebrities like Woody Harrelson, Shailene Woodley, Paris Hilton, and Lance Bass.
Its existing products include a deli-style plant-based tuna salad, available across several states via Whole Foods Market. In February this year, the brand joined forces with Bareburger to bring its Plant-Based Classic Fish Burger to consumers through a vegan offering called The Gulf.
We’re excited to propel change in quick-service restaurants by teaming up with Long John Silver’s. With the plant-based seafood sector expected to grow twelve-fold in the next ten years to US$1.3 billion, there’s room for dramatic growth
Christine Mei, CEO of Gathered Foods
In its home state of Texas, Good Catch expanded its local presence by launching in Safeway, Randall’s, and Tom Thumb, as well as Austin plant-based restaurants and grocers including Neighborhood Goods, The Beer Plant and Tiny Grocer. In March, the brand expanded its direct-to-consumer offerings to include its shelf-stable and frozen appetizers and entrees.
Lead image courtesy of Good Catch.
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