Recognizing that consumers are gathering for parties and barbecues for the Fourth of July, supermarkets are promoting fish for grilling and Maine lobster for the holiday.“We try to put items on special that are conducive to grilling. California sea bass is running right now and is a thick fillet for grilling,” Michael Cigliano, executive VP of Santa Monica Seafood, Santa Monica, Calif., told SeafoodSource.
At its two retail locations, California sea bass is on special for USD 19.99 (EUR 15.37) per pound. In addition, Santa Monica Seafood is retailing Pacific Northwest ling cod for USD 14.99 (EUR 11.52) per pound, Alaska sockeye salmon for USD 18.99 (EUR 14.60) per pound — down from USD 21.99 (EUR 16.90) per pound — and Pacific Northwest Petrale sole for USD 12.99 (EUR 9.99) per pound.
West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s is also promoting fish for grilling, including previously frozen wild Ahi tuna for USD 9.99 (EUR 7.68) per pound and previously frozen wild swordfish steaks for USD 9.99 per pound.
Likewise, Cod & Capers Seafood, in West Palm Beach, Fla., is promoting wild Gulf swordfish steaks for USD 13.95 (EUR 10.72) per pound, along with wild Royal Red Shrimp from Florida for USD 10.95 (EUR 8.42) per pound, and wild Alaska sockeye salmon fillets for USD 14.95 (EUR 11.49) per pound.
“Down here, it’s a very big grilling holiday. It’s hot here, so most people will enjoy their days poolside or at the beach. Many people in our area will incorporate seafood into their holiday festivities,” said Jessica Zabel, Cod & Capers marketing director.
Plus, retailers are taking advantage of low Maine lobster prices to promote them for the Fourth.
“People always enjoy live lobsters around the holidays,” Cigliano said. Santa Monica Seafood is retailing live Atlantic lobsters at USD 9.99 per pound for 1.5-pound lobsters for the holiday, down from USD 12.99 (EUR 9.99) per pound.
Cod & Capers is promoting Maine lobsters for USD 11.95 (EUR 9.19) per pound for 1.5-pound lobsters. “We have tons of orders for steamed lobsters on the board for pickup [3 July]. It is a great value right now and many of our residents are northern transplants,” Zabel said.
Cod & Capers is also featuring previously frozen Florida Spiny Lobster tails for USD 24.95 (EUR 19.18) per pound. “These are quality lobster tails that we put up ourselves during the season,” Zabel said.
Santa Monica Seafood is also promoting a Seafood and Scallops Brochette for USD 6.99 (EUR 5.37) each.
“People like to serve that when people come over to the house. We also have a featured wine to go with it, or beer,” Cigliano said.
