Whole Foods Market ‘Outstanding Innovation’ award recipient Ocean Hugger Foods to offer plant-based sushi alternative in new locations across U.S.

Ahimi, first plant-based alternative to raw tuna, is now available in 40 #wholefoodsmarket locations

AUSTIN, Texas (May 4, 2018) – #wholefoodsmarket 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 #wholefoodsmarket locations in ten states across the U.S.

Ahimi first launched at #wholefoodsmarket locations in #newyork and #losangeles 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 #oceanhuggerfoods a Whole Foods Market Supplier Award for Outstanding Innovation last month.

"We know our shoppers come to #wholefoodsmarket 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 #wholefoodsmarket. "We're thrilled to expand our partnership with #oceanhuggerfoods to bring #ahimi to more than 20 additional in-store sushi counters this spring."

Created by Certified Master #chef #jamescorwell, #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 #oceanhuggerfoods.

Beginning today, the select #wholefoodsmarket sushi counters will offer #ahimi in two grab-and-go options: an #ahimicaliforniaroll and an #ahimisushicombo. Specific #wholefoodsmarket locations can be found on Ocean Hugger’s store locator.