New York State is not a regional leader within the realm of aquaculture. According to the most recent data on this sector – the 2018 Aquaculture Census conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – the state generates roughly $8.8 million in annual revenue from aquaculture, which is the lowest among the coastal states in the Northeast.
Obviously, there is room for improvement – and one company leading this sector is Hudson Valley Fisheries. Based in the City of Hudson, this company specializes in producing steelhead trout. According to CEO Jordan Mazzetta, Hudson Valley Fisheries handles “thousands” of fish per week for both wholesale distribution and in proprietary retail offerings sold in retail channels and through the company’s e-commerce site.
Westfair Business Journal spoke with Mazzetta regarding his company’s place in the state’s aquaculture sector.
When did this company begin and why did it begin?
Approximately 10 years ago, we wanted to address food security and sustainability. Being foodies, aquaculture was on our radar and, in particular, a land-based type of aquaculture called recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that is closed and contained with no impact on wild populations or the environment.
We found a location in Hudson, New York, that would allow us to hatch, grow out and process fish entirely on site with a two-hour drive to a major market, New York City, enabling us to maintain a low carbon footprint. We bought the land in 2012 and began building our farm from the ground up the next year.
We assembled a great group of aquaculture professionals and had our first harvest in 2017, and we have been harvesting fish every week since our first harvest.
Why do you focus only on steelhead trout?
Steelhead trout is a great tasting and looks great to the consumer. Steelhead trout is a hardy species well-suited to the RAS environment.
Is trout a healthier fish versus salmon, cod or other popular fish dishes?
Thanks to our high-quality feed, which is Best Aquaculture Practices rated, our steelhead are rich in Omega-3s, an essential, heart-healthy fatty acid, and a great source of lean protein. Steelhead is a leaner species than its salmon cousins. We find that anyone who likes salmon will likely enjoy our fish and some people who think the salmon flavor is too strong will find our steelhead’s mild flavor enjoyable.
What are the advantages of your Recirculating Aquaculture System versus catching fish in the wild?
The benefits of RAS are many from an environmental and operations standpoint. We chose RAS because we wanted a technology that would be enduring and allow for year-round operations. Customers like the fact that they can support them with an exceptional seafood product 52 weeks per year whether they live in the Hudson Valley, New York City, Westchester, the Midwest or West Coast.
How did you come up with your retail product line? What goes into determining the types of products for sale?
When we started harvesting, our plan was to offer only head-on gutted fish. We found that chefs and customers often wanted the convenience of fillets and portions, so we adapted our operations to accommodate this need. While the majority of our wholesale customers buy whole, we have a growing number of chefs, restaurant buyers and retailers that ask us to fillet, pinbone, portion, individually vacuum pack and IQF (individually quick freeze).
We developed a smoked line a few years ago to extend our offerings and it has really grown in popularity. We offer a cold-smoked “lox” and a hot-smoked or baked product that is available in 4-ounce and whole fillets. More recently, we added two flavored lox products: pastrami and vodka dill.
We have a lot of communication with customers thanks to our presence at New York City area greenmarkets and feedback online and through our sales team. We can gather feedback on new products and gauge interest quickly. We even develop bundles of smoked and fresh products that are popular as gifts.
Are your products in food retailers?
People can find our products in Westchester County at Green’s Naturals and Mitch’s Provisions. We encourage customers to ask their favorite grocers to carry our fresh and smoked products. Customers can find our full list of retailers by visiting https://www.hudsonvalleyfisheries.com/pages/store-locator.
What are your most popular products?
We have a steady and growing wholesale and restaurant base for our head-on gutted whole fish in New York City and the Hudson Valley. Our steelhead’s flavor is delicate and mild and the freshness can’t be beat. Our fish has been featured in multiple top restaurants in New York City, many of them Michelin-starred. Chefs like the convenience of ordering sides and portions. Many chefs consistently offer our smoked products on their menus. Singapore Airlines uses our smoked products in its New York City area departing flights in first class and business service.
What is on your agenda for 2024?
We would like to expand our operations and sustainably raise more steelhead to accommodate our growing customer base.
