Cooke Seafood’s Family of Companies Provides Crucial Ice Shipment to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in Western North Carolina

SUFFOLK, VA / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2024 / Wanchese Fish Company and Shoreland Trucking, proud members of the Cooke Seafood USA family, have taken swift action to help those in need in Western North Carolina following damage from Hurricane Helene. The company delivered a full 18-wheeler semi-trailer truckload of ice to support relief efforts in Marion, North Carolina, a key hub for disaster assistance in the metropolitan Asheville area.

The North Carolina Fisheries Association (NCFA) had reached out to companies in the seafood industry, including Wanchese Fish Company and Cooke Seafood, requesting help with hurricane relief. Following widespread power outages in the region, access to ice became critical for preserving food, baby formula, and other perishable items. Wanchese Fish Company responded immediately, not only offering a full truckload of ice but also delivering it directly to the affected area.

"We knew that ice was needed urgently in Western North Carolina, and our team was ready to help," said Jon Steeves, Director of Operations at Wanchese Fish Company. "North Carolina's inland residents have always supported us when coastal communities have been hit by storms, so it's our turn to return the favor. We're glad we could contribute and help those in need."

The Shoreland Trucking 18-wheeler semi-trailer was packed at Wanchese Fish Company's facility in Suffolk, Virginia. The delivery included pallet totes filled with bulk ice, as well as a pallet of plastic bags and shovels. This equipment ensured that anyone without coolers could still transport and store the ice. The truck was dispatched to the Asheville area and arrived at Marion's disaster relief center early in the morning last Friday, allowing for the immediate distribution of the much-needed supplies.

Historically, North Carolina's seafood industry has mobilized to provide ice in times of crisis. This time, Wanchese Fish Company took it a step further by coordinating directly with NCFA to streamline logistics and avoid delays.

"Usually, coastal regions are hit hardest by storms, and we're used to helping in those areas," said Jerry Schill, NCFA's Director of Government Relations. "This disaster affected the western part of the state, where seafood companies aren't as common. But our commitment to help in times of need extends to every community across North Carolina."

In coordination with NCFA and other organizations, additional truckloads of ice from several companies were also provided as part of the larger disaster relief operation.

For more information about Wanchese Fish Company or the Cooke Seafood family of companies, please contact:

Joel Richardson
Vice President of Public Relations
Cooke Inc.
+1-506-721-1093
joel.richardson@cookeaqua.com

About Wanchese Fish Company
Wanchese Fish Company was founded in 1936 and has grown to become a leading supplier of seafood products in North America and Europe. As a vertically integrated seafood operation, Wanchese Fish Company is capable of supplying over 4,000 tons of wild scallops, shrimp, oysters, southern king crab, and other seafood products each year. Our fishing partners process and freeze on board to lock in the freshest of flavors. The Wanchese headquarters and state-of-the-art processing plant is located in Suffolk, Virginia.

About Cooke Inc.
Cooke's core purpose is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities'. The Cooke Inc. family of companies includes global aquaculture and wild fishery divisions, with operations in 14 countries and nearly 13,000 employees. Cooke ships fresh True North Seafood branded products worldwide. www.cookeseafood.com

SOURCE: Cooke Inc.