AUSTIN, Texas (May 4, 2018) – Whole Foods Market is expanding its partnership with Ocean Hugger Foods to offer Ahimi, the first-ever plant-based alternative to raw tuna, in select store sushi counters in a total of 40 Whole Foods Market locations in ten states across the U.S.
Ahimi first launched at Whole Foods Market locations in New York and Los Angeles in November 2017. The product spurred Whole Foods Market’s culinary experts to include “High Tech, Plant Forward” foods as a top trend for 2018, and earned Ocean Hugger Foods a Whole Foods Market Supplier Award for Outstanding Innovation last month.
“We know our shoppers come to Whole Foods Market to try new, innovative and trend-forward products, and Ahimi delivers on all three as the original plant-based alternative to raw tuna,” said Andy Sasser, global category manager at Whole Foods Market. “We're thrilled to expand our partnership with Ocean Hugger Foods to bring Ahimi to more than 20 additional in-store sushi counters this spring.”
Created by Certified Master Chef James Corwell, Ahimi is made using a proprietary process that enhances the savory quality of tomato using only five simple ingredients – tomatoes, filtered water, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Ahimi, our plant-based alternative to raw tuna, to more consumers across the United States. Ahimi provides consumers the natural, meaty texture of raw tuna without harming our oceans.” said David Benzaquen, co-Founder and CEO of Ocean Hugger Foods.
Beginning today, the select Whole Foods Market sushi counters will offer Ahimi in two grab-and-go options: an Ahimi California Roll and an Ahimi Sushi Combo. Specific Whole Foods Market locations can be found on Ocean Hugger’s store locator.
