AK-WA Connection 2009: Carrier takes care of Alaska seafood

Alaska Air Cargo launches new employee training initiative designed to ensure freshness of state’s seafood shipments nationwide

By Rose Ragsdale

For Alaska-Washington Connection

Alaska Air Cargo has initiated a new quality control program designed to ensure that seafood shipments are kept cold so they can arrive as fresh as possible at grocery stores and restaurants across the nation.

Every year, Alaska Air Cargo plays a significant role in supporting the Alaska seafood industry, which is recognized worldwide for its sustainable fishing practices. In 2008, the carrier flew more than 30 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood to the Lower 48 and beyond, including up to 1 million pounds of Copper River salmon.

The new quality control initiative makes Alaska Air one of the first air carriers to implement a special training program for employees who handle perishables such as fresh Alaska seafood.

Using strict seafood quality standards, the carriers require employees to pass an annual food quality course. Defined by the seafood industry as “cool chain,” the program is used by processors and shippers to ensure a temperature-controlled environment for proper food handling. The goal is to keep the seafood moving expeditiously throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and to maintain temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees for fresh fish from the time it leaves the water until it arrives at stores and restaurants.

Under the cool chain program, Alaska Air Cargo employees and ramp agents receive computer-based training for proper seafood handling. Features of the program have been incorporated with a service called Priority Perishable Express to ensure that perishable shipments have priority handling and receive special attention.

“Preserving the quality of fresh seafood from the bountiful waters of the state of Alaska and delivering it to cities throughout our expansive route network is our top priority,” said Joe Sprague, vice president of Alaska Air Cargo. “Our seafood partners can be confident their shipments will receive the attention they deserve when they choose Alaska Air Cargo.”

Training and program materials were created by Alaska Air Cargo based on material used by seafood processors throughout the state of Alaska was provided by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and Ocean Beauty Seafoods, LLC.

“Alaskan salmon are shipped thousands of miles to markets and restaurants all over the world, and this program provides first-class treatment throughout the journey and helps to preserve the natural attributes of seafood,” said Jan Koslosky, director of supply chain management for Ocean Beauty Seafoods, LLC.