Seafood producer, Bumble Bee Foods, is aiming to utilise the know-how of Gathered Foods Corporation to expand its portfolio and break into the burgeoning plant-based seafood sector.

As one of North America’s biggest branded seafood companies, the joint venture partnership makes Bumble Bee Foods the first and only major seafood company to partner with a plant-based seafood brand.

Gathered Foods Corporation are the makers of Good Catch brand of plant-based seafood products. In January, the company raised $32 million in Series B funding with proceeds from Greenleaf Foods and 301 INC, the venture arm of General Mills, as more major food makers muscle on vegan products.

“This partnership is a win for Bumble Bee, Good Catch, consumers and the health of our oceans,” said Jan Tharp, President and CEO for Bumble Bee Foods.

“Bumble Bee has always been deeply committed to sustainable fishing and we have been actively working to manage fish stocks across our portfolio.

“It is critically important that as an industry we continue to find innovative solutions to decouple growth with environmental impact. Providing great-tasting alternative ways for consumers to enjoy ocean-inspired foods is a key pillar of our long-term commitment to ocean health.”

Chris Kerr, CEO and co-founder of Good Catch, said: “In forming this partnership with a forward-thinking and deeply rooted company like Bumble Bee we can reach far more consumers who want fish-alternative products.”

The partnership sees Bumble Bee Foods diversifying its portfolio after it filed for bankruptcy in November 2019 and was forced to sell of its assets for $925 million.