America’s newest superfood sweeps show: Sustainability-minded fishery’s healthful, premium-grade Antarctic krill meat lauded by wide range of show attendees in the hundreds—from global big box retailers, chefs, hoteliers and restauranteurs to government agencies and beyond—for its incomparable combination of great taste, nutrition, versatility and economic value
For the most part, krill meat is a relatively new protein that most consumers—and even some food industry pundits—have never heard of or certainly tasted. This truth led Krill Arctic Foods to the National Restaurant Association show held May 2023 in Chicago. As the first-to-market global supplier of this exciting new keto and paleo-friendly protein, the company is quickly gaining ground as the foremost and most recognized brand pioneering this unique seafood extolled for its nutritional value and versatility. It can be used as a primary or complementary ingredient in several recipe types similar to crab meat applications: dips, sauces, salads, dressings, spreads, stuffing, soups, pizza, sushi, fried rice, burgers, fritters, cakes, chowders, stuffed peppers, stuffed mushrooms, raviolis and other pastas, dumplings and more induced by epicurean imagination.
Krill Arctic Foods Makes a Splash at NRA Show
“At the recent expo, we doled out at least 500 samples served in three different applications—one on water crackers with and without avocado spread and another ceviche style with chopped tomato, cucumbers, black pepper and lemon—with not one single person having a negative reply … and those who were initially hesitant to try said they really liked it for a number of different reasons,” said Alfred Nasti, Krill Arctic Foods Founder and CEO. “Our booth had a steady stream of buyers from many the most globally-recognized big box brands, executives from numerous chain hotels, executive chefs seeking culinary inspiration and so many others curious about this epicurean enigma. The feedback received on our various krill tasting samples was resoundingly positive … the National Restaurant Association Show definitely served to drive new devotees and our web site’s recipe page has had a nice spike in traffic.”
Relative to other proteins, krill is also a tasty revenue-driver with a price point also apparently well-received. “Event attendees were pleased to learn that we are currently offering ten 40-can cases for $4.50 per 105 gram can, so $1,800 for the lot, with which buyers also receive one full 40-can case for free—a $180 value,” Nasti continues. “We will even throw in free delivery to anywhere in the USA for the first 6 months. It’s also notable that our Antarctic Krill meat has an extensive shelf life of three full years.”
Krill 101
Relative to other proteins, krill is also a tasty revenue-driver with a price point also apparently well-received. “Event attendees were pleased to learn that we are currently offering ten 40-can cases for $4.50 per 105 gram can, so $1,800 for the lot, with which buyers also receive one full 40-can case for free—a $180 value,” Nasti continues. “We will even throw in free delivery to anywhere in the USA for the first 6 months. It’s also notable that our Antarctic Krill meat has an extensive shelf life of three full years.”Antarctic krill, with a scientific name Euphausia Superba, are small crustaceans about 10mm to 65mm in length with a translucent body that has a reddish tint. Rich in a multitude of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega 3s, krill is one of the healthiest foods on the planet and are famed for “nourishing an entire ecosystem.”
Krill are considered keystone species, meaning they play a vital role in the ecosystem by serving as a major food source for a wide range of marine organisms, including fish, whales, penguins, seals and seabirds. Krill can form enormous swarms that contain millions of individuals. Krill feed on phytoplankton (microscopic algae) and zooplankton, filtering tiny particles from the water using specialized appendages called thoracopods. They are known for their unique feeding behavior, often forming dense swarms near the ocean surface where they feed on blooms of phytoplankton.
Wild and Mindfully Harvested
According to Nasti, krill is 100% sustainable and his operation is recognized as one of the most sustainably run wild fisheries in the world as it conducts operations in adherence with strict industry guidelines. These crustaceans are harvested by Krill Arctic Foods in the pure pristine waters of the Antarctic Ocean. The freshly caught krill are cleaned, then blanched and frozen, within three to four hours to maintain maximum taste, texture and nutritional value.
The company’s factory Vessel, the “More Sodruzhestva 2,” is the only one of its kind that has the capabilities to catch, clean and process Antarctic Krill on board. It is then heat sealed into cans with water and its own natural oils. A video of this process can be found on the company’s website under the learn section.
Environmental & Ecosystem Integrity
Krill meat is not just delicious, but it provides the same health benefits as Krill Oil Supplements. It does this in delicious form with negligible environmental impact. Nasti reports that around 2% of the world’s krill supply is used in the food chain, with upwards of 80% harvested for oil supplements.
Amid several articles discussing how overfishing of krill is having a negative impact on our marine life, Nasti weighs in on the important topic. “We make sure to do our part to ensure that our fishing does not negatively impact our marine ecosystems in any way,” he says. “Our Krill meat is caught within the strict guidelines established by the The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, known as the CCAMLR, to ensure and promote the health and sustainability of the krill population in the Antarctic Ocean. The CCAMLR is made up of 25 member countries who get together once a year in October to make decisions to protect and conserve the Southern Marine Ecosystem. One of the topics discussed is what the quota for the fisheries will be to ensure that there is enough krill left over for all the marine life that depends on it to survive. Our annual krill quota is less than 2% of the total krill biomass, which is estimated to be up to 500 million metric tons.
Health Matters
Among its health benefits, krill is known to have the highest source of protein with a digestibility rate far higher than the digestible protein in other meat sources, making krill a far superior protein source. In fact, one study published in the journal Food Chemistry investigated the digestibility of Antarctic krill meal and found a digestibility rate of 89.1% for protein and 89.6% for lipid.
Because Krill are the only marine crustaceans with a vegan-based diet, this meat is the perfect choice for those looking for a healthy and sustainable protein source. Of course, it is always optimal to get your vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from food first and supplement last. While Krill oil does have numerous health benefits from the healthy fats and antioxidants it contains, Antarctic krill meat has all the benefits of krill oil and more—including 15 grams of digestible protein per 105g serving.
According to Krill Arctic Foods, Antarctic krill meat like that it supplies is scientifically proven to Improve heart health, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, maintain healthy eyes and vision, support brain function, reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases and cancers, aid in weight loss, promote metabolic and reproductive health, aid in anti-aging and promote healthier hair skin and nails, neutralize free radicals to prevent cellular damage, helps support liver function and even aids in lowering depression.
Krill Arctic Foods is clearly the sector’s foremost experts and the exclusive supplier of sustainably fished, premium quality Antarctic krill meat. If you’re a food or hospitality brand seeking a unique and healthy specialty item that will set your restaurant or food business apart from the rest, this company is a genius go-to.
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Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
