三月是麻州楓樹月

 Baker-Polito Administration Declares March “Massachusetts Maple Month”

State Officials Tour a Sugaring House in Central Massachusetts, Encourage Residents to Buy Local Maple Products

 

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Undersecretary Beth Card, and state and local officials visited Grand Maple Farms in New Braintree, MA to celebrate March as Massachusetts Maple Month.

 

NEW BRAINTREE – Governor Charlie Baker has declared March as Massachusetts Maple Month in the Commonwealth, and in celebration of this declaration, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux, state and local officials, and representatives from the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association today visited Grand Maple Farms in New Braintree, MA to raise awareness of the state’s many maple producers and to encourage residents to purchase locally-produced maple products. Today’s visit to Grand Maple Farms included a tour of their facility along with a ceremonial tapping of a maple tree to commemorate the start of the sugaring season. Owners Justin and Paul Schur began their business with 23 taps in 2011, which has now grown to over 900 taps including sugar maple and red maple trees.

 

“Our Administration is happy to continue the tradition of recognizing our maple sugar producers who have long been a unique and important part of the Massachusetts agricultural industry, contributing over $12 million to the local economy and employing more than 1,000 workers,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to support them and hope everyone will do the same by purchasing locally produced maple products this season.”

 

“The start of maple season is always an exciting time, ushering in a new growing season here in the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “With snow still on the ground, visiting a Massachusetts sugarhouse offers a picturesque New England experience while supporting our local economy by providing a boost that not only benefits our maple producers but also provides other surrounding tourist destinations, such as restaurants and bed and breakfasts, with additional revenue opportunities.”

 

In the past six years, the Baker-Polito Administration, through MDAR, has awarded $341,785 in Agricultural Energy grants to maple producers throughout the state. These grants have been used to offset the costs of installing updated, environmentally friendly equipment, including high efficiency evaporators, heat recovery and reverse osmosis equipment.

 

“Maple syrup is a delicious local product that is part of our agricultural heritage in Massachusetts and maple sugar producers are true stewards of our land, protecting over 15,000 acres of woodland,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The Commonwealth’s maple sugar producers have also been pioneers and innovators, adopting cutting-edge energy efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies for harvesting and managing their maple groves.”

 

“As we shake off another winter season and as residents are eager to venture out, I can’t think of a better way to usher in a new growing season than to bring the family out to a local sugarhouse this month for a pancake breakfast complete with some freshly produced local Massachusetts maple syrup,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Like with so many other aspects of our culture, the history of Massachusetts is tied to the history of maple, and when you buy Commonwealth produced products, you are not only supporting local farmers but you are honoring the history and legacy of our agricultural past.”

 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Census of Agriculture, Massachusetts is home to approximately 300 maple syrup producers who produce over 70,000 gallons of syrup each year. Producers help to maintain thousands of acres of open working landscapes across the Commonwealth. Maple sugaring profits allow many farms to stay in business year-round by serving as a secondary crop and supplemental source of income. As one of the region’s unique agricultural foods, visitors come from all over the world to buy products during the sugaring season. Farms, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, country inns, and other tourist businesses share in this income, which primarily flows into small towns and farm communities, helping the local economy. Massachusetts ranks among the top 10 maple producing states in the U.S.

 

“Agricultural tourism attracts visitors and residents alike to our farms and rural areas, and the maple syrup season is particularly popular this time of year,” said Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Keiko Matsudo Orrall. “These delicious Made in MA maple products align with our My Local MA campaign to support small businesses right here in Massachusetts.”

 

“The basics of sugarmaking haven’t changed in hundreds of years,” said Massachusetts Maple Producers Association Coordinator Winton Pitcoff. “Take one ingredient – pure maple sap – and boil it down until it’s the perfect density for maple syrup. Sugarmakers have adopted modern techniques though, and use sustainable management and production practices to make the highest quality products efficiently and safely. And consumers have learned about what a versatile product maple syrup is, using it as a sweetener in their coffee, as an ingredient in baked goods, marinades, dressings, and of course, on pancakes!”

 

Maple syrup has been produced and consumed for centuries in North America and its initial availability during the tail end of the winter season signals the start of the agricultural awakening in Massachusetts and a sure sign that spring is around the corner. Tree tapping in Massachusetts can start as early as late January and continue through April, though March is officially Maple Month. Most importantly, the temperatures must be below freezing at night and above freezing during the days for the tree sap to flow. Furthermore, weather, soil, and genetics of the tree can affect maple syrup flavor. Please visit Massachusetts Maple Producers Association (MMPA) to learn more about the maple sugaring process. For a complete listing of maple sugar houses in the Commonwealth, go to the MassGrown website and click on maple.

波士頓市長吳弭簽署房屋轉手費家規法 200萬元起徵 州長不支持

 Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed the Transfer Fee ordinance. (photo by Chutze Chou)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 3月4日在數十名支持者圍觀中，簽署了「房地產交易轉讓費 (Transfer Fee) 」的波士頓家規法條例。這條例必須經由州議會投票通過，以及麻州州長簽署，才能正式實施。

 Boston Mayor Michelle Wu

             麻州州長查理貝克已在非正式場合中表態不支持這做法。

             吳弭提出的這家規法，要向交易價200萬元以上的房屋徵收2%的轉手費，並且只對200萬元以後的數額徵收規費，由賣家支付，所得費用將存入鄰里住宅信託。波士頓市府估計，這麼做可為波士頓市帶來數以億元計的額外收入，可用於擴大資助建造可負擔住宅經費。

              根據波士頓市2021年的房屋銷售紀錄，2%的規費，將可為波士頓市帶來9970萬元。波士頓市房屋長Sheila A. Dillion透露，在2021年時，波士頓市內約有704戶住宅價格在200萬元以上。受此法案影響的人數因此相當有限。

 Boston Mayor Michelle Wu with elected officials. (Photo by Chutze Chou)

             波士頓市並不是第一次推動這法案，二年前馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)還是市長時，也曾提交過類似法案，當時提議向售價100萬元以上的房屋徵收轉手費。

State Senator Lydia Edwards with ACDC ED Angie Liu, CPA ED Karen Chan. (Photo by 
Chutze Chou)

             4日在簽署法令現場的亞美社區發展協會主任劉安琪，華人前進會主任陳玉珍都支持這一法令，希望波士頓市能因此有更多錢可以濟助地方建造可負擔住宅。陳玉珍並說明，吳弭市長的「房地產交易轉讓費」修訂版，不但把起徵金額提高的200萬元以上，而且訂有適用於耆英等的豁免條款。

             通常對還在進行中法令提案不多表態的麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)，日前卻公開表示不贊同波士頓市長吳弭的這一行動。他甚至質疑吳弭提出這法令的時機，聲稱聯邦政府在這一、二年間才撥發出數以億元計款項，地方政府手中應該有很多錢可以用。他也呼籲麻州議會資助經費不足的各項房屋計畫，包括支援首次購屋者等等。

         4日早上有7名州市議員到位於麥特潘的老人屋，支持吳弭市長簽署這法令。包括剛當選麻州參議員，現在仍同時擔任波士頓市議員的Lydai Edwards，以及麻州眾議員Brandy Fluker Oakley，Rob Consalvo，波士頓市議員Ricardo Arroyo，Kendra Lara等人。

           波士頓市提出的家規法，還要求讓低收入耆英經由修訂的41C項目條款，擴大物業稅減免額。

               41C項目為65歲以上自住耆英提供稅費援助，提案則要求把免稅額從1000元提高到1500元，總減免額可因此從2000元提高到3000元。另外再把原本的固定收入限制改成已地區中為收入的50%，然後把資產限制額度增加加倍。

               一旦州政府通過波士頓市申請的這家規法，相關條例將從2023會計年度開始實施，該年的收入限額將從單身人士24,911元調升至47,000元，負負從37,367元調升為53,700元。資產限額將從單身人士的4萬元增至8萬元，夫婦從5萬5千元增至11萬元。

               波士頓市政府表示。波士頓市內現有大約4,600名擁有住宅的耆英，符合41C項目的繳稅減免資格。

MAYOR WU SIGNS TRANSFER FEE HOME RULE PETITION TO FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS Fees On Property Sales Over $2 Million Will Provide Substantial Funding For Affordable Housing Including Property Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors

BOSTON - Friday, March 4, 2022 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu joined State Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley, local elected officials, and residents to sign a home rule petition to implement a transfer fee of up to two percent on real estate sales of $2 million or more in the City of Boston. If passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by the governor, the fee will generate nearly a hundred million dollars annually to create and preserve affordable housing in Boston and reduce property taxes for qualified low-income senior homeowners. The legislation is sponsored by State Representative Fluker Oakley. The Home Rule Petition passed the Boston City Council Wednesday. “Boston’s most pressing challenge is our housing crisis, which has been pushing families out of our city and deepened even more with the pandemic. As we see the transformational impact of federal funding for our recovery, it’s clear that Boston needs a reliable funding source to focus on housing affordability and keep families and seniors in their homes,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to Council colleagues for partnering on this urgent issue and many colleagues who have shepherded this issue in previous sessions. I look forward to working closely with our state partners on next steps.” Through the legislation, the first $2 million of the sales price on a home in Boston would be exempt from the fee. For real estate sales over $2 million, the fee collected will be paid by the seller. The funds generated will be allocated to the Neighborhood Housing Trust. The Neighborhood Housing Trust creates new affordable housing and preserves existing affordable housing. Based on 2021 sales in Boston, a two percent fee would have raised an estimated $99.7 million, and would have only affected approximately 700 transactions. Similar proposals were filed in 2019 and 2021.  “I am so excited to see Mayor Wu and the Boston City Council taking action to make housing in Boston more affordable for seniors,” said State Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley. “I have met with and testified before the City Council about the need for large developers of luxury apartments to pay their fair share, which would allow us to expand property tax exemptions for seniors on a fixed income and make housing in Boston more affordable.” Some transfers between family members are exempt from the fee, and the City of Boston may adopt additional exemptions for economically vulnerable populations, affordable housing developments, deed-restricted housing, owner-occupant homeowners, beneficiaries of a city-approved homebuyer program, or others. “This bill is about housing stability,” said State Senator and City Councilor Lydia Edwards. “This is a great opportunity for our city. It balances raising revenue with granting relief for our seniors.” "Today Boston is taking a major step to ensure we have adequate funds to create and preserve affordable housing, and to provide much needed tax relief to our seniors who have dedicated their lives to our great City,” said City Councilor Kendra Lara. “As we combat the housing crisis and recover from the pandemic, we must protect our seniors who have been bearing the brunt of the impacts of both displacement and COVID-19. I look forward to working with our colleagues at the state house to get this passed." The home rule petition also seeks to expand property tax relief for low-income seniors by modifying the eligibility criteria for the 41C program and increasing the exemption. These changes will modernize the criteria and provide much-needed financial assistance to a vulnerable population.    The 41C program provides tax assistance to residents 65 years or older who are owner-occupants. Specifically, this legislation would:   Increase the minimum exemption from $1,000 to $1,500, and the total possible exemption from $2,000 to $3,000; and Broaden eligibility by replacing the fixed income limits with the 50% Area Median Income figure and doubling the asset limit levels.   These changes would take effect for the Fiscal Year 2023, and the income limits for that year would increase from the current $24,911 to $47,000 for single individuals and $37,367 to $53,700 for a couple. The asset limits would increase from $40,000 to $80,000 for single individuals, and from $55,000 to $110,000 (the asset limits exclude the value of the applicant’s home). Currently, approximately 4,600 Boston senior homeowners are income-eligible for the 41C tax exemption. The legislation will expand eligibility to approximately 8,700 senior homeowners. Nearly half of those senior homeowners are severely housing cost-burdened, paying more than 50 percent of their income to housing costs. Ultimately, the City of Boston will have the ability to determine the final rate for the fee, collection method, and any exemptions that may exist.

Stone's Throw大麻店到華埠居民會月會陳情

 

亞馬遜關閉所有實體書店、4星店 有3家在麻州

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 亞馬遜 (Amazon)重整營運藍圖，將關閉所有實體書店，以及4星店鋪和臨時店面。其中有3家在麻州。

這3家麻州亞馬遜實體店，分別位於Natick，Lynnfield和Dedham。

總部位於西雅圖的亞馬遜於3月2日時表示，在美國及英國，共有66家店受這決定影響，此後該公司可把精力放在亞馬遜新鮮(Amazon Fresh)、完整食物超市 (Whole Foods Market)，以及他們稱為「亞馬遜走 (Amazon Go)」的便利店模式店鋪，還有今年稍後將在南加州推出，銷售時裝及配飾的亞馬遜風格店(Amazon Style stores).

亞馬遜經營網路書店20年，促使多家實體書店關門後，2015年開了第一家實體書店，亞馬遜4星店是2018年開張的，出售亞馬遜網路上最暢銷產品的限量版，包括設備，消費電子產品，玩具及遊戲。

亞馬遜是在總體營業額成長趨緩下，找新方法來重振銷售。

全球零售數據 (GlobalData Retail)經理 Neil Saunders說，亞馬遜的這一策略，令人意外。他相信這是亞馬遜承認書店並未帶來亞馬遜所期望的營收。他認為亞馬遜非食品店的主要問題是儘管那些商品都擺飾得很好，但缺乏真正的目的。設計得讓人們進店逛，卻不是為了要買東西而去，因而不能驅動消費者流量，尤其是在這人們已經比較少逛店的年代。

麻州長簽行政命令 要中止與俄國國營公司合約

 Governor Baker Signs Executive Order Directing Executive Branch Agencies to Review Contracts, Agreements with Russia

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker signed Executive Order 597, which directs all executive branch agencies to review and terminate any contracts with any Russian state-owned company. The executive order also directs agencies to review any partnership, affiliation, or exchange with any Russian state-owned company, Russian government controlled entity, or Russian governmental body. 

 

“With this order, we hope to build on the sanctions the federal government has already placed on Russia for their unjustified attack on Ukraine,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts condemns the actions of Russia and stands firmly with the free and democratic nation of Ukraine.”

 

“The Commonwealth will continue to offer its support Ukraine and stand with them in the face of Russian aggression,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “My thoughts are with all the Ukrainian people during this horrific time.”

 

The Governor’s executive order encourages independent agencies and authorities, public education institutions, and other constitutional offices to adopt similar policies.

 

The order also directs the Office for Refugees and Immigrants to work with the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and other stakeholder agencies to support Ukrainian immigrants and refugees fleeing the conflict.

 

To read the full executive order, click here.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New License Plate to Boost Striped Bass Conservation

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces New License Plate to Boost Striped Bass Conservation

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced Massachusetts is now offering a new specialty license plate available through the Registry of Motor Vehicles to promote conservation of striped bass, which are an important and iconic fish synonymous with the Massachusetts coastline. The plate was custom designed by Cape Cod artist, Janet Biondi, and depicts a striped bass in pursuit of alewives, one of its favorite forage species. The striped bass license plate is now available to all motorists who are registering a vehicle in the Commonwealth. For motorists who already have a vehicle registered and want this new plate, they can visit Mass.Gov/myRMV to order one.

 

“Striped bass is the premier game fish in Massachusetts marine waters and an important component of our commercial fishery,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The purchase of these specialty license plates will enhance efforts to conserve and restore striped bass, river herring, and other marine fisheries that are vital to the Commonwealth’s coastal ecology, economy, and culture.”

 

After a campaign by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) and Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to gather support for the plate through pre-registrations, the plates are now being issued to approximately 900 pre-registrants. Like all specialty plates, the cost to the motorist is $40 every two years, in addition to the cost of a standard passenger plate every two years. This is the fourth specialty plate in Massachusetts that is offered by the MET including the right whale plate, the brook trout plate, and the Blackstone Valley plate.

 

“I want to thank the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the Division of Marine Fisheries, and the many members of the public who supported this initiative from the beginning,” said DFG Commissioner Ron Amidon. “We look forward to the visibility the license plate will provide for striped bass and river herring, and the enhanced programming for marine fisheries conservation.”

 

“The RMV is pleased to add this new plate type to the Commonwealth’s inventory of special plates,” said Registrar Colleen Ogilvie. “We have made it easy to get the striped bass license plate as it can be ordered online and then will be mailed to the customer.”

 

The disbursement of the funds for the striped bass plate will be overseen by a review panel that includes striped bass experts from DMF, academia, a conservation organization, and recreational and commercial fishermen. Additionally, funds will be used for new grants and programming that supports studies and conservation initiatives, including studies of striped bass populations, stock structure, movements, and local ecology; habitat improvements to enhance passage of diadromous fish (e.g., river herring, eels), thereby enhancing forage for striped bass; studies of angler practices to improve hook-and-release survival; and angler education to improve the conservation of marine fisheries resources.

"我們是波士頓"今晚6點網上舉行 亞美社區緊急紓困基金獲表揚

波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu，左起) 頒獎給亞美社區緊急紓困基金代表，劉安琪，
以及右起陳玉珍，鄺寶蓮等人。(MOIA提供)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市移民進步辦公室 (MOIA)主辦，強調移民對波士頓也有貢獻的「我們是波士頓 (We Are Boston) 」活動，今年以「從夢想到行動」為主題，訂今晚 (3月3日) 在網路上舉行。

                       波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在接待會中談及她的來年目標，並頒發「我們是波士頓社區支持獎 (We Are Boston Community Champion Award)」給由6個地方機構組成的「亞美社區緊急紓困基金 (Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund)」。

藍十字藍盾執行長Andrew Dreyfus致詞。(MOIA 提供)

                       該基金在新冠病毒疫情期間，發出50多萬元給因為疫情失去收入，無法取得公共福利，還面對著反亞裔種族歧視的許多家庭。

                       「我們是波士頓企業領袖獎」頒給了Arbella保險基金會，因為該機構慷慨支持移民的非牟利機構，擁護「工作及家庭流動法 (Work and Family Mobility Act)」。

波士頓市市長吳弭(中)與MOIA辦公室主任Yusufi Vali (右一)及其工作同仁。(MOIA提供)

               去年11月才當選波士頓市長的吳弭 (Michelle Wu)表示，”作為移民的女兒，我知道移民家庭及社區在使我們的城市更親切，更有彈性，更歡樂上有多重要”。”如果我們要為每個人打造波士頓，就必須在我們努力時，把我們的移民社區放在心中”。

             本屆活動贊助單位暨共同主辦者的麻州藍十字藍盾執行長Andrew Dreyfus表示，在新冠病毒疫情期間，很多移民及難民都是前線工作人員，既是領袖，也是創造改變者。

               波士頓市移民進步辦公室(MOIA)主任Yusufi Vali表示，今年的「我們是波士頓」活動以「從夢想到行動」為主題，因為這是該行動的時候了，好讓移民的夢成為現實。

亞美社區發展中心(ACDC)主任劉安琪代表亞裔社區緊急紓困基金致詞。 (MOIA提供)

                       MOIA有大約12名工作人員，致力協助移民融入社區，改善生活，發揮己長。該機構衛移民社區提供法律服務，英語課程，社會融合，精神健康等各方面的支援，最近還在籌辦協助在美國境外已有專業證照者得以發揮所長的項目。           

               「我們是波士頓」今年有27家企業贊助商，共捐贈11萬6500元，將用於支援服務移民的非營利組織。今年的頒獎晚會將在MOIA的臉書網頁上直播            facebook.com/BOSImmigrants。

WE ARE BOSTON 2022: FROM DREAMS TO ACTION

 BOSTON - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts hosted We Are Boston 2022: From Dreams to Action on March 3, 2022. The annual reception celebrates Boston immigrants and their contributions to the City. It also highlights how government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors can work together for advocacy and change.

 “As a daughter of immigrants, I know the vital role that our immigrant families and communities play in making our city more welcoming, more resilient, and more joyful,” said Mayor Wu. “If we want to build a Boston for everyone, we must do so with our immigrant communities at the heart of our efforts.”

 “Immigrants and refugees are frontline workers, leaders, and changemakers. Throughout this pandemic, they have helped sustain our schools, our businesses, our hospitals - our entire community. And they are leading the call for equity at this critical moment in our country’s history,” said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, event co-host and in-kind sponsor.

 During the reception, Mayor Wu addressed her goals for the upcoming year and named this year’s honorees. She awarded the 2022 “We Are Boston Community Champion Award” to the Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund, made up of six local groups. The Fund distributed more than half a million dollars to families that lost incomes because of the pandemic and could not access public benefits, all while facing anti-Asian racism. The 2022 “We Are Boston Corporate Leadership Award” went to Arbella Insurance Foundation because of its generous support of immigrant nonprofits and because of Arbella’s advocacy for the Work and Family Mobility Act.

 “The theme of this year’s We Are Boston is ‘From Dreams to Action,’” said Yusufi Vali, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. “We picked this theme because this is the time for action so immigrant dreams can become reality.”

 Director Vali spoke about how MOIA worked with public, private, and nonprofit sectors to help immigrants recover from the pandemic, grow immigrant wealth and wages, and respond to the inhumane treatment of Haitians at the border. He also spoke on the department’s goals to build out City resources for legal services, ESOL classes, social integration, and mental health.

 Twenty-seven corporate sponsors funded this year’s We Are Boston. Their donations totaling more than $116,500 dollars will go towards operational support and capacity-building for immigrant-serving nonprofits. This year’s champion sponsors are Arbella Insurance Foundation, The Klarman Family Foundation, and State Street Corporation; and the visionary sponsors are Eastern Bank Foundation and Tufts Medical Center. Corporate sponsors are invited to participate in this year’s workshop about how to leverage the diversity and skills of immigrants to benefit their businesses and drive Boston’s economy.

 We Are Boston 2022: From Dreams to Action is available to watch on MOIA’s Facebook page: facebook.com/BOSImmigrants.

北美海產展訂3月13至15日回波士頓實體舉行 預計830家廠商參展

 Suppliers and Buyers Looking Forward to Getting Back Together at

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America

Portland, Maine (March 3, 2022) — In less than two weeks, the highly anticipated Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, produced by Diversified Communications, will bring back together the seafood industry to reconnect and conduct business face-to-face. The 2022 edition, taking place March 13-15 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, will welcome suppliers ready to present their seafood products, equipment, packaging and services to industry buyers.

“The event currently has more than 830 exhibiting companies in over 180,000sf of exhibit space. Representing 70% the size of the event in 2019 and still being by far the largest gathering of seafood professionals in North America is an impressive offering of value to seafood buyers in a year impacted by COVID-19,” said Wynter Courmont, Event Director, Diversified Communications.

Attending buyers will be able to meet with a notable list of seafood and processing companies from 50 countries, many new companies, and many well known in the industry including Avramar, Camanchaca, Chicken of the Sea, Clearwater, Cooke Aquaculture, Eastern Fish, Eastern Fisheries, Gumusdoga, Handy International, Hofseth, Inland Seafood, Lenger Seafood Group, Lund’s Fisheries, Kilic, Mazzetta Company, Northern Wind, Ocean Beauty, Orca Bay, Pacific Seafood Group, PrimStar BV, Seattle Shrimp, Southwind Foods, Trident Seafood, and Viciunai Group, to name a few.

New companies that have recently committed to the event include Export Partner/NEC, Australian Trade (Austrade), Amende & Shultz, Blue Evolution, Devi Seafoods, Inc, Maldives Fisheries Promotions Board, Superior Lobster and Vietocean Seafood Vietnam. A growing list of exhibitors can be viewed here: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america/exhibitor-lists/

“The Australian Trade and Investment Commission is excited to be participating in the Seafood Expo in 2022 for the first time,” Rachel Moody, Senior Trade Director – Food & Beverage, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). “Our goal is to highlight the variety and value of Australian seafood and introduce North American industry and partners to our producers. We will be supporting up to 12 companies, promoting a variety of species from abalone to rock lobster to finfish while at the show.”

Chairman MPDA, The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) from India explained that “MPEDA is looking forward to participating in the Boston event in 2022 with 11 companies and showcasing the diversified Indian seafood products ranging from chilled, frozen and ready to eat/cook products which include shrimp, cuttlefish, squid, fish fillets, breaded & battered products. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see the seafood professionals again all under one roof. Nothing beats a face-to-face interaction.”

Companies across both sides of the aisle recognize the value in having this annual event and are counting on the 40th edition to boost their business and build new relationships.

“The Boston show definitely is attributed to our success,” commented Keith Singleton, President-Value Added Division, Alaskan Leader Seafoods. “Starting from a little booth back in the corner with one item to where we are today with a collage of recipes, packaging and species. It’s been a wonderful ride.”

“I have been attending the Seafood Expo in Boston as a buyer for many years, and I am looking forward to attending this March,” explained Brad Clark, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Captain D’s. “This event is a great opportunity for me to meet with my existing suppliers as well as meet new suppliers and look for new products to carry in our restaurants. After 2 years of not being able to meet in person, it is more important now than ever to be able to attend the expo to do business.”

Buying decisions are made during and immediately after the exposition. In the last edition, 85 percent of surveyed visitors were involved or influence purchasing decisions, 71 percent planned on making a purchase as a result of attending the event and 88 percent found new products or companies.

With less than two weeks left, high-volume buyers from retail and foodservice companies continue to express their interest in the event and have registered to attend the 2022 edition of Seafood Expo North America, including Acme, Albertsons, Bloomin’ Brands, Captain D’s, Costco, Darden, Delaware North, Foodbuy, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Loblaw, Long John Silvers, McDonald’s, PFG, Publix, Red Lobster, Sam’s Club, Stop & Shop, Sysco, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, Walmart, Wegmans, Whole Foods, US Foods, and many more.

“Our team is excited to attend this year’s Seafood Expo North America. Our industry has changed significantly in the past two years. Consumer preferences are different, suppliers have expanded/narrowed their product offerings, and new associates have joined our teams,” said Josephine Theal, Director Category Management, Food, Delaware North. “More than ever, we need valuable partnerships to plan ahead for what’s next. Our team has determined that attending the show will help us achieve this in the best way.”

One-stop shop for product sourcing
Throughout the past two years seafood buyers have had challenges sourcing new products, and yet the need for new products has grown as North American consumers became more comfortable cooking seafood at home. Experts predict this growing retail demand will continue, at the same time as restaurant business continues to rebound and consumers look for new products. This year’s event will feature 86 new and featured product showcase entries from 35 exhibiting companies—a one-stop shop for buyers looking for new and creative products and solutions.

“Royal Greenland is excited to exhibit at SENA 2022. Building awareness and connecting with customers at this key industry event promotes our mission to bring wild-caught, high-quality seafood from the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean to consumers around the globe,” stated Kerry Clift, Marketing Manager North America, Royal Greenland

Among the new products submitted as part of the prestigious Seafood Excellence Awards competition, two will receive the award for Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product. Winners will be revealed on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00pm at the event.

“I always find the Seafood Expo a very valuable experience in terms of education, product innovation and relationship building. There is a huge opportunity in the US to improve the per capita consumption of seafood,” commented Rich Castle, Director of Seafood, Giant Eagle Inc. “The Seafood Expo allows a lot of very smart people to share ideas and push forward products and processes that will improve sustainability, efficiencies and customer acceptance. Myself and my team will be attending because we always come home energized and focused on implementing new products, processes and services that will help drive our desire to be “best in class” seafood departments.”

A comprehensive educational conference agenda
Through the three-day event, Seafood Expo North America’s conference program will offer more than 28 informative sessions led by seafood industry experts. Attendees will take away practical information pertaining the most important and timely issues relevant to today’s seafood business environment. Highlighted sessions include a keynote address, by Megan Greene, Global Economist, Financial Times Columnist and Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Economic Outlook for 2022, and a plenary session, Three Ways to Incorporate a Diversity and Inclusion Program to Benefit Your Business, presented by Tony Byers, PhD, Former Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Starbucks.

Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and register to attend by visiting seafoodexpo.com/north-america.