Retailer Snapshot

Environmental Sustainability Commitment. Save-On-Foods’ has met its sustainable seafood commitment to source over 50% Ocean Wise Recommended fresh and frozen products in all of its store banners and is currently working on bringing its private label shelf stable products (e.g., canned tuna) under its commitment. In May 2021, Save-On reported that 63% of its fresh and frozen products sold in the past year met its commitment. Prior to May 2021, Save-On had not publicly reported the percentage of seafood that met its commitment since 2018. Save-On does not have a traceability policy in place to support its commitment, but has been developing one since 2019.

Social Responsibility Commitment. Save-On has a general commitment to social responsibility that lacks clear objectives, a traceability policy or a timeline. Save-On has been developing a supplier Code of Conduct and a traceability strategy to support this commitment since 2019.

Scope of Commitment. See below for information on which types of products are included in the scope of Save-On-Foods’ sustainable seafood policy.

Grocery store brands: Owned and controlled by Save-On-Foods
Seafood company brands: Owned by companies that supply many retailers
No brand: Fresh and frozen seafood packaged without branding

WHAT CAN CONSUMERS DO TO HELP?

Take action!

Save-On-Foods has not shown much improvement in the 2021 Seafood Progress update and several of its scores decreased. Retailers listen closely to what YOU have to say. Leverage that power to drive important changes throughout the supply chain!

Select a topic to ADVOCATE for Save-On-Foods to improve.

Commitment

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own)
  2. Go to Save-On-Foods’ Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you don’t have a system in place for tracing the seafood that you sell from boat to plate, despite your profile stating that you’ve been working on introducing this since 2019. As your customer, I expect seafood traceability to be prioritized and to go hand in hand with your commitments! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Instagram

  1. Copy the message below (or draft your own).
  2. Paste your message in a new post on Instagram (be sure to tag SeaChoice!), include a photo of your choosing and post.

“According to Save-On-Foods’ #SeafoodProgress profile, they don’t have a system in place for tracing the seafood that they sell from boat to plate, despite their profile stating that they’ve been working on introducing this since 2019. As someone who shops at Save-On, I expect seafood traceability to be prioritized and to go hand in hand with their commitments! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@saveonfoods, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, you don’t have a system in place for tracing the seafood that you sell from boat to plate. As your customer, I expect seafood traceability to be prioritized and to go hand in hand with your commitments! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and direct it to onlineshopping_customerservice@saveonfoods.com. 
  2. In the subject line, write ‘Save-On’s Seafood Commitments’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods and Julie Dickson, Managing Director, Corporate Services and Public Affairs

Hi there,

I shop at Save-On-Foods and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I was disappointed to learn that you don’t have a traceability policy in place to support your commitment to sustainability OR social responsibility. Your profile also states that you’ve been working on introducing this since 2019. As your customer, I expect seafood traceability to be prioritized, and to go hand in hand with your commitments!

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Phone

  1. Call Save-On’s Customer Service line at 1-800-242-9229.
  2. Select 5 from the menu for ‘all other inquiries,’ and speak to the message above in your own words once connected with someone. 
Responsible Sourcing

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own)
  2. Go to Save-On-Foods’ Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you require suppliers to sign a code of conduct that only covers some of your social responsibility commitments and you don’t verify that these commitments are being upheld. As your customer, I think your suppliers should be held to a higher standard! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Instagram

  1. Copy the message below (or draft your own).
  2. Paste your message in a new post on Instagram (be sure to tag SeaChoice!), include a photo of your choosing and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, they require suppliers to sign a code of conduct that only covers some of their social responsibility commitments and they don’t verify that these commitments are being upheld. As someone who shops at Save-On, I think their suppliers should be held to a higher standard! @seachoice  www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@saveonfoods, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, your supplier code of conduct is not comprehensive and you don’t verify that suppliers continually meet this code. As your customer, I think your suppliers should be held to a higher standard! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and direct it to onlineshopping_customerservice@saveonfoods.com. 
  2. In the subject line, write ‘Save-On’s Seafood Commitments’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods and Julie Dickson, Managing Director, Corporate Services and Public Affairs

Hi there,

I shop at Save-On-Foods and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I was disappointed to learn that you require suppliers to sign a code of conduct that only covers some of your social responsibility commitments and you don’t verify that these commitments are being upheld. As your customer, I think your suppliers should be held to a higher standard!

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Phone

  1. Call Save-On’s Customer Service line at 1-800-242-9229.
  2. Select 5 from the menu for ‘all other inquiries,’ and speak to the message above in your own words once connected with someone. 
Transparency

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own)
  2. Go to Save-On-Foods’ Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you reported publicly how much of your seafood sold meets your commitment in 2018 and then not again until 2021. As your customer, I expect you to report this percentage annually! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Instagram

  1. Copy the message below (or draft your own).
  2. Paste your message in a new post on Instagram (be sure to tag SeaChoice!), include a photo of your choosing and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, they reported publicly how much of their seafood sold met their commitment in 2018, but not again until 2021. As their customer, I expect them to report this percentage annually! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@saveonfoods, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, you reported publicly how much of your seafood sold meets your commitment in 2018 and then not again until 2021. As your customer, I expect you to report this percentage annually! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and direct it to onlineshopping_customerservice@saveonfoods.com. 
  2. In the subject line, write ‘Save-On’s Seafood Commitments’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods and Julie Dickson, Managing Director, Corporate Services and Public Affairs

Hi there,

I shop at Save-On-Foods and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I was disappointed to learn that you don’t regularly report publicly how much of your seafood sold meets your commitment. Your profile shows that you did in 2018, but didn’t again until 2021. As your customer, I expect you to report this percentage at least annually!

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Phone

  1. Call Save-On’s Customer Service line at 1-800-242-9229.
  2. Select 5 from the menu for ‘all other inquiries,’ and speak to the message above in your own words once connected with someone. 

Another way to take action is to let retailers know that their efforts are noticed and that you want them to continue on the path towards best practice.

Select a topic to ACKNOWLEDGE Save-On-Foods’ efforts.

Supporting Industry Improvements

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own)
  2. Go to Save-On-Foods’ Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, all of your Atlantic salmon products are ASC certified and all of your farmed shrimp and prawns are Ocean Wise Recommended and ASC certified. As your customer, I appreciate that you only sell versions of these products that meet the highest bars of sustainability! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Instagram

  1. Copy the message below (or draft your own).
  2. Paste your message in a new post on Instagram (be sure to tag SeaChoice!), include a photo of your choosing and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, all of their Atlantic salmon products are ASC certified and all of their farmed shrimp and prawns are Ocean Wise Recommended and ASC certified. As someone who shops at Save-On, I appreciate that they only sell versions of these products that meet the highest bars of sustainability! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@saveonfoods, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile you only sell versions of Atlantic salmon and farmed shrimp that meet the highest bars of sustainability. As your customer, I really appreciate this commitment! @seachoice “

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and direct it to onlineshopping_customerservice@saveonfoods.com. 
  2. In the subject line, write ‘Save-On’s Seafood Commitments’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods and Julie Dickson, Managing Director, Corporate Services and Public Affairs

Hi there,

I shop at Save-On and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I was happy to learn that all of your Atlantic salmon products are ASC certified and all of your farmed shrimp and prawns are Ocean Wise Recommended and ASC certified. As your customer, I appreciate that you only sell versions of these products that meet the highest bars of sustainability!

I look forward to seeing what Save-On does next to support improvements in aquaculture.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Phone

  1. Call Save-On’s Customer Service line at 1-800-242-9229.
  2. Select 5 from the menu for ‘all other inquiries,’ and speak to the message above in your own words once connected with someone. 
Education

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own)
  2. Go to Save-On-Foods’ Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

” According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you have a mandatory training course for all staff working with seafood and you provide suppliers with recommendations to ensure that the products they supply are in line with Save-On’s commitment. As your customer, I appreciate you educating staff and suppliers on the importance of your seafood commitments! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Instagram

  1. Copy the message below (or draft your own).
  2. Paste your message in a new post on Instagram (be sure to tag SeaChoice!), include a photo of your choosing and post.

“
According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, they have a mandatory training course for all staff working with seafood and they provide suppliers with recommendations to ensure that the products they supply are in line with Save-On’s commitment. As someone who shops at Save-On, I appreciate that they educate staff and suppliers on the importance of their seafood commitments! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@saveonfoods, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile you go the extra mile to educate your staff and suppliers on the importance of your seafood commitments. As your customer, I really appreciate that you’re sharing this message with important stakeholders! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and direct it to onlineshopping_customerservice@saveonfoods.com. 
  2. In the subject line, write ‘Save-On’s Seafood Commitments’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods and Julie Dickson, Managing Director, Corporate Services and Public Affairs

Hi there,

I shop at Save-On and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I was happy to learn that you have a mandatory training course for all staff working with seafood and you provide suppliers with recommendations to ensure that the products they supply are in line with Save-On’s commitment. As your customer, I appreciate you educating staff and suppliers on the importance of your seafood commitments!

I look forward to seeing Save-On introduce comprehensive signage on its seafood commitments in all stores in next years’ Seafood Progress updates!

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Phone

  1. Call Save-On’s Customer Service line at 1-800-242-9229.
  2. Select 5 from the menu for ‘all other inquiries,’ and speak to the message above in your own words once connected with someone. 
Data Collection

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own)
  2. Go to Save-On-Foods’ Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you collect species’ scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed and gear type or farming method on all of your fresh and frozen private label products. As your customer, I appreciate that you are tracking this information against your seafood commitments! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Instagram

  1. Copy the message below (or draft your own).
  2. Paste your message in a new post on Instagram (be sure to tag SeaChoice!), include a photo of your choosing and post.

“
According to Save-On’s #SeafoodProgress profile, they collect species’ scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed and gear type or farming method on all of their fresh and frozen private label products. As someone who shops at Save-On, I appreciate that they are tracking this information against their seafood commitments! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/save-on-foods/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@saveonfoods, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile you collect species’ scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed and gear type or farming method on all of your fresh and frozen private label products. As your customer, I appreciate your diligent data collection! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and direct it to onlineshopping_customerservice@saveonfoods.com. 
  2. In the subject line, write ‘Save-On’s Seafood Commitments’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods and Julie Dickson, Managing Director, Corporate Services and Public Affairs

Hi there,

I shop at Save-On and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I was happy to learn that you collect species’ scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed and gear type or farming method on all of your fresh and frozen private label products. As your customer, I appreciate that you are tracking this information against your seafood commitments!

I look forward to seeing Save-On implement an effective traceability policy into its commitments to sustainable and socially responsible seafood!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Phone

  1. Call Save-On’s Customer Service line at 1-800-242-9229.
  2. Select 5 from the menu for ‘all other inquiries,’ and speak to the message above in your own words once connected with someone. 

See below for the remainder of Save-On-Foods’ 2021 profile summary.

Other retailer information

Data Collection. Save-On-Foods collects species’ scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed and gear type or farming method for all its fresh, frozen and private label products.

Responsible Sourcing.  All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the Save-On-Foods’ environmental sustainability commitment, but Save-On does not actively verify that this commitment is being upheld. Save-On has been developing a supplier Code of Conduct to support its commitment to social responsibility since 2019.

Transparency. Some of Save-On-Foods’ frozen products are labelled with species’ scientific name and some fresh and frozen products are labelled with country of origin and/or whether the seafood is wild or farmed. None of Save-On’s private product labels include gear type or farming method. Save-On does not disclose a list of products procured with region and gear type with the public. Prior to May 2021, Save-On had not publicly reported the percentage of seafood that met its commitment since 2018.

Education. Save-On has a mandatory training course for all staff working with seafood, and sends updated information on its commitment to staff on a regular basis. In consideration of customer education, there is a general description of Save-On’s commitment to sustainable seafood and information on the Ocean Wise Seafood Program in all stores. Also, Save-On provides its suppliers with recommendations to ensure that the products they supply are in line with Save-On’s commitment.

Supports Improvements. All of Save-On’s private label and national brand farmed Atlantic salmon products are ASC certified, and all its private label (Western Family) farmed shrimp and prawns are Ocean Wise Recommended and ASC certified. Save-On is not currently engaged in any actions to support improvements in the production of skipjack tuna, but is working on bringing canned skipjack tuna under its commitment to source 50% Ocean Wise Recommended products. In terms of supporting other at risk species, Save-On-Foods preferentially sources Ocean Wise Recommended products and MSC certified rockfish (Pacific snapper) for their Western Family brand rockfish products. In May of 2021, Save-On-Foods sent a letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in support of an electronic and interoperable boat-to-plate traceability system for all seafood sold in Canada. 

Note: In the process of developing this profile SeaChoice corresponded with Julie Dickson, Managing Director Corporate Services and Public Affairs, Shane Heasman, General Manager Meat and Seafood, and Craig Saunders, Category Manager Seafood and Processed Meat at Save-On-Foods.

Step 1: Does the retailer have a comprehensive commitment on sustainable seafood?

Overall Step Score

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

To continue meeting its commitment to source over 50% Ocean Wise Recommended fresh and frozen products, Save-On-Foods collects data from its suppliers on species, geographic origin and production methods and compares this to Ocean Wise Recommendations (personal communication, S. Heasman, 09/06/2021). In 2019, Save-On was in the process of developing a traceability strategy to follow products from producers through to consumers (personal communication, J. Dickson, 16/05/2019), and as of June 2021 Save-On reported that this was still in the works (personal communication, J. Dickson, 09/06/2021).

  • 0% No publicly available environmental sustainability commitment or policy
  • 20% General commitment to environmentally sustainable seafood without clear objectives, traceability policy or timelines
  • 40% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives for sustainable procurement, but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 60% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards (such as Seafood Watch or Ocean Wise rankings, eco-certifications, etc.), but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 80% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards and a clear and effective traceability policy, but no timeline
  • 100% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards, a clear and effective traceability policy, and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods states it is committed to only sourcing socially responsible seafood and that adherence to national legislation and commodity-specific standards are built into all supplier contracts. In 2019, Save-On was in the process of developing a supplier Code of Conduct and a traceability strategy to follow products from producers through to consumers (personal communication, J. Dickson, 16/05/2019), and as of June 2021 Save-On reported that both are still in the works (personal communication, J. Dickson, 09/06/2021).

  • 0% No publicly available social responsibility commitment or policy
  • 20% General commitment to socially responsible seafood without clear objectives, traceability policy or timelines
  • 40% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives for socially responsible procurement (for example by referring to credible international standards such as ILO, UN Declaration, etc.), but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 60% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives and actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, but no traceability policy or timelines.
  • 80% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, and a clear and effective traceability policy, but no timeline
  • 100% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, a clear and effective traceability policy, and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods’ sustainable seafood policy includes all of its store banners.

  • 0% Retailer does not include any banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 25% Retailer includes 25% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 50% Retailer includes 50% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 75% Retailer includes 75% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 100% Retailer includes 100% of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods does not cover any of its shelf stable or national brand products under its sustainable seafood policy.

  • 0% Retailer's commitment covers neither all of their shelf stable or national brand. products
  • 50% Retailer's commitment covers all of their shelf stable or national brand products
  • 100% Retailer's commitment covers all of their shelf stable AND national brand products
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 2: Is the retailer collecting data to support their commitment?

Overall Step Score

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

What information is the retailer collecting to monitor the environmental and social sustainability of their seafood products?

The step score is based on the average of Step 2 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

This data is collected for all fresh, frozen and private label products (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

This data is collected for all fresh, frozen and private label products (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

This data is collected for all fresh, frozen and private label products (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

This data is collected for all fresh, frozen and private label products (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 3: Is the retailer making responsible sourcing decisions?

Overall Step Score

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Are the retailer’s procurement decisions supporting their environmental and social sustainability commitments?

The step score is based on the average of Step 3 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that KPI 3.3 was changed in 2019 from “Retailer works with suppliers to address potential human rights and labour abuses, and support sustainable livelihoods for producers” to more specific indicators around retailers’ agreements with their suppliers/vendors to uphold their environmental and social commitments.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods uses Ocean Wise Recommendations to inform its procurement decisions.

  • 0% No sustainability criteria used to inform purchasing decisions (or no information available)
  • 100% Sustainabilty criteria used to inform purchasing decisions
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods can demonstrate that in the past year 63% of its seafood products sold by stock keeping units (SKUs) have been Recommended by Ocean Wise.

  • 0% Retailer has not reported in last three years how much of their seafood sold meets their sustainability commitment (or no information available)
  • 25% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 50% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 75% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 100% percent of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

All of Save-On-Foods’ seafood suppliers’ contracts include requirements that are in keeping with Save-On’s commitment to sourcing a high proportion of Ocean Wise Recommended fresh and frozen seafood (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information)
  • 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 75% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment and the retailer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld.
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods is currently updating its supplier contracts to ensure suppliers understand the company’s expectations around procurement of products in a socially responsible manner (personal communication, J. Dickson, 16/05/2019). As of May 2021, Save-On reported that it is still working on this update (personal communication, J. Dickson, 09/06/2021).

  • 0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information)
  • 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 75% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's social responsibility commitment and the retailer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld.
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 4: Is the retailer transparent about their commitment?

Overall Step Score

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Is the retailer making information regarding the environmental and social performance of their seafood products publicly available and are they reporting on progress against their sustainable seafood commitment?

The step score is based on the average of Step 4 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Some frozen products are labelled with the species’ scientific (Latin) name. Some fresh and frozen products are labelled with country of origin and/or whether the seafood is wild or farmed. Although this information is not available on some labels, it is available upon request for every Ocean Wise Recommended product (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • Species scientific (Latin) name
  • Country of origin
  • Wild or farmed
  • Gear type or farming method
  • 0% Retailer does not label products with the information (or no information)
  • 50% Retailer labels some products with the information
  • 100% Retailer labels all products with the information
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods uses the Ocean Wise logo or includes “O/W” on fresh product labels for Ocean Wise Recommended products.

  • 0% Retailer does not label products with an ecolabel as appropriate (or no information)
  • 100% Retailer labels products with an ecolabel as appropriate OR all products fit under a standard and is communicated as such
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods has this information and it is available to consumers at point of sale but it is not published (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% No list of products procured with region and gear type has been made available (or no information)
  • 50% Some seafood products with region and gear type has been made available
  • 100% All seafood products with region and gear type has been made available
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods reported publicly how much of its seafood sold met its commitment in 2018 and again in 2021.

  • 0% No public information on how the retailer is doing to meet its commitment
  • 50% Retailer has at one point in the past reported publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment
  • 100% Retailer regularly reports publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment (by volume/value, at least every two years)
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 5: Does the retailer educate staff, customers and/or vendors about the importance of their commitment to sustainable seafood?

Overall Step Score

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Is the retailer educating their employees, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders about their sustainable seafood commitment, environmental and social issues in seafood, and the importance of traceability?

The step score is based on the average of Step 5 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that KPI 5.3 changed in 2019 from “Suppliers are required to sign a Code of Conduct to uphold the retailer’s sustainable seafood policy” (now covered by KPIs 3.3 and 3.4) to an indicator of what actions retailers have taken to educate their suppliers/vendors about their sustainable seafood commitment.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods has a mandatory training course for all staff working with seafood. Staff must score at least 85% on the training module to work at Save-On’s seafood counter. Staff are also sent updated information on Save-On’s seafood sustainability policy regularly (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information)
  • 50% Training programs sometimes conducted or for only some seafood staff
  • 75% Training programs conducted for all seafood staff, but infrequently (less than every two years)
  • 100% Training programs regularly (at least every two years) conducted for all seafood staff
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

There is at least a general description of Save-On’s commitment to sustainable seafood and information on the Ocean Wise Seafood Program in all stores, and some stores have more detailed information posted about Save-On’s sustainable seafood commitment and goals (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% There is no description of the sustainable seafood program in store (or no information)
  • 50% This is some description of the sustainable seafood program in store
  • 100% There is a comprehensive description of the sustainable seafood program in store
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods regularly engages with its seafood suppliers to ensure they understand Save-On Foods’ sourcing policy. Save-On also provides suppliers with recommendations to ensure that the products they supply are in line with Save-On’s commitment (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • 0% The retailer has taken no actions OR no information available
  • 25% The retailer sends its suppliers or vendors a copy of its sustainable seafood commitment or policy
  • 50% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy and sometimes engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet the retailer's expectations.
  • 75% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy and regularly engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet the retailer's expectations.
  • 100% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy, has a clear strategy to engage with its suppliers and provides direct support (e.g. training, resources) to help ensure all seafood product are procured in line with its policies.
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 6: Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?

Overall Step Score

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Does the retailer sell ‘Priority Seafood’ products (seafood that has high volume of sales in Canadian retail stores and that is generally not recommended by the Ocean Wise Seafood Program), and if so, do they support improvement and how?

The step score is based on the average of Step 6 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that this Step was changed significantly in 2019 to introduce two additional ‘Support Improvement’ actions for each of the Priority Seafood products. This means that if a retailer was engaged in the same actions in 2019 as in 2018, and no more, their score will appear to have decreased). Additionally, KPIs 6.4 and 6.5 on other SeaChoice priority seafood products were generalized into a new KPI that allows retailers to showcase any other actions they are taking to support improvement of specific seafood products (besides shrimp, farmed salmon and skipjack), or to support improvements in seafood sustainability in general.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

In May of 2021 Save-On reported that all its private label and national brand farmed Atlantic salmon products are ASC certified (personal communication, C. Saunders, 28/05/2021).

  • Only sells farmed salmon products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for salmon farming management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve salmon aquaculture practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve salmon farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not ASC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially procures farmed salmon from sources that are ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

As of May 2021, all of Save-On’s private label (Western Family) brand farmed shrimp and prawns were Ocean Wise Recommended and ASC certified.

  • Only sells farmed shrimp and prawn products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC or BAP, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for shrimp and prawn farming management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not ASC or BAP certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially procures shrimp and prawns from sources that are ASC or BAP certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On is not currently engaged in any actions to support improvements in the production of skipjack tuna. Save-On is working on bringing canned skipjack tuna under its commitment to source 50% Ocean Wise Recommended products (personal communication, S. Heasman, 26/05/2021).

  • Only sells skipjack tuna products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for skipjack fishing methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve skipjack fishery management practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve skipjack fishing practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not MSC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Save-On-Foods
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Save-On-Foods preferentially sources Ocean Wise Recommended products and MSC certified rockfish (Pacific snapper) for their Western Family brand rockfish products. In May of 2021, Save-On-Foods sent a letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in support of an electronic and interoperable boat-to-plate traceability system for all seafood sold in Canada (personal communication, J. Dickson, 17/05/2021).

  • Only sells versions of this product that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC/ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest or farming method and management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve fishing or aquaculture practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve fishing or farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not MSC/ASC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC/ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
  • Scoring Rubric
← Back to Seafood Progress

Seafood Progress Reports

Sustainable Seafood Policy

Link

Location

Across Western Canada and the Yukon

Store Brands

  • Bulkley Valley Wholesale
  • Save-On-Foods
  • Urban Fare

SeaChoice is a sustainable seafood partnership of the following three conservation groups: