©Barnacle
Sealaska has acquired a minority stake in Barnacle, an Alaska-based manufacturer of food products made using bull kelp.
Barnacle is headquartered in Juneau, Alaska, and the company claims to be the first company to manufacture food products from bull kelp. The company’s product portfolio includes salsas, hot sauces, pickles, jams and jellies, which are sold by select retailers in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California.
Barnacle’s founders have stated that Sealaska’s investment will enable the company to grow, and the company’s ultimate goal is to become a household name and pantry staple.
Kelp has been touted as a sustainable food and ingredient source, as studies have suggested that even large-scale kelp farming has little impact on the environment, while it can increase local biodiversity.
Barnacle uses both wild kelp and farmed kelp for its products. The company has stated that sustainable farming practices are at the centre of its operations, and its wild kelp farming practices have been designed to have the least environmental impact.
Barnacle partner Lia Heifetz said: “A deep reverence for this place and sharing its story is a part of our company culture. It started with a passion for the wild foods that we have in southeast Alaska, and for sharing those foods and the stories of the people and places behind them.”
Heifetz continued: “Businesses can use what they have around them to do great things for communities and the environment. We wanted to build a model that could be a tool for positive change in our little corner of the world, and beyond.”
Sealaska president and CEO Anthony Mallott added: “Barnacle fits with who we are. Our shared values make this much more than a financial partnership. The intangible benefits of working and growing together will be widespread and impactful – here in Alaska and elsewhere.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024