Hudson Valley Fisheries Pivots Amid Pandemic, Introducing Ecomm and Value-Added

Hudson Valley Fisheries is a bio secure, land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) sustainably raising steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Hudson, New York, about 110 miles north of New York continued on page 11 City. The 1200 metric ton farm never uses any antibiotics, hormones or vaccines in its operations and serves the greater NYC and Northeastern markets. Founded in 2014, Hudson Valley Fisheries sells head-on gutted whole, custom trim fillets, pin-bone removed and cold-smoked steelhead, all branded as New York Steelhead.

The farm recently added a state-of-the-art portioning machine and IQF tunnel. In April, the fishery quickly pivoted and accelerated the launch of its ecommerce capabilities on its website, www.HudsonValleyFisheries.com, offering whole fish, fillets and cold-smoked products with coast-to-coast shipping. The company also expanded its New York City-area farmers market presence in June by setting up stands at the world-famous Union Square and 79th Street Greenmarkets four days weekly enabling it to sell directly to customers in New York City and the nearby Westchester County suburbs of Hastings-on-Hudson and Chappaqua.

Having these critical direct channels in place have been critical to the rapid sales needed to make up for losses of New
York City restaurant customers, until then its major market. New York Steelhead, aka Hudson Valley Steelhead, has been featured on menus at several of New York City’s top restaurants and been prized by chefs seeking hyperlocal, sustainably raised seafood delicious in raw, cured and cooked preparations.

In July, with New York restaurants shuttering or struggling to compete for take-out business amid layoffs and reinvention, the company ran a fundraising campaign on behalf of Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants. The program raised over $3,500 for the non-profit organization serving restaurant workers with its Kit for a Cause, and netted a write-up in the coveted “Front Burner” column of The New York Times. The kit offered two fillets and cedar planks branded with the farm’s logo and cooking directions and a 4oz package of its just-introduced cold-smoked product.

As its social media channels grew in terms of community members, more chefs and foodies helped spread good word of mouth about New York Steelhead and began sharing feedback and posts of their own New York Steelhead preparations, often sourced from NYC farmers markets. In September, the fishery debuted another kit targeted at home-bound steelhead enthusiasts called Hudson Valley Grilling Kit which was heralded by O, The Oprah Magazine as a top-pick in its first-ever Food OList. In October, HVF’s Aquaculture Operations Manager, Brittany Peachey was also
named Top 10 Under 40 2020 by Hatchery International as a Champion of Sustainability.

Holiday Items

Steelhead selections:
Cold-smoked
Whole Head-on Gutted
Pin-bone Removed Fillets

Hudson Valley Grilling Kit – an Oprah favorite
Subscriptions with weekly and monthly delivery

Contact Information:
www.HudsonValleyFisheries.com
Brand video: https://youtu.be/j5jedw-cdZM

Order@HudsonValleyFisheries.com – (518) 249-4750

Oprah List Food Favorites September edition
https://www.oprahmag.com/style/g33567473/september-2020-food-o-list/?slide=4