The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) has announced that the product call for the 2017 Alaska Symphony of Seafood has begun. The 24th running of the annual competition is open to producers of value-added products made from Alaska seafood. Entry forms and fees are due by January 6. All information regarding the event is available at AFDF’s AFDF website.
Each product entered in the competition is grouped into one of four categories: Retail, Foodservice, Beyond the Plate and Beyond the Egg. Product entries are then individually evaluated by a panel of expert judges during a private judging session. Evaluations are based on the product’s packaging and presentation, overall eating experience, price and potential for commercial success. First, second, third and grand prize winners will be awarded, as well as the People’s Choice from each promotional event.
The winners will be given an opportunity to display their victorious products at Seafood Expo North America in Boston March 19-21. Promotional events will also be held in Seattle, Juneau and Anchorage during February. The event’s multiple locations give companies the opportunity to introduce new value-added seafood products made from Alaska seafood and gain exposure with industry and culinary experts, seafood distributors and media outlets. The overall goal is to inspire innovative ways to use Alaska’s natural seafood resources.
Since 1993, Alaska Symphony of Seafood has celebrated creative and innovative ideas in the seafood industry, bringing together a host of new products before a panel of judges and the public. The Symphony was created by AFDF to promote value-added product development for seafood harvested in Alaska by encouraging participation and sponsorship from a wide variety of companies and organizations that are building the future of the state’s seafood industry.
About the AFDF
The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is a private, non-profit organization created in 1978 for the purpose of further developing the state’s seafood industry. Since its conception, AFDF has worked with harvesters, processors and the support sector to turn challenges into opportunities through applied research and development and by balancing economic benefits with sustainability principles.
