FAQs

What types of seafood does Lusamerica offer?

Lusamerica offers over 100 species of seafood, including fresh and frozen options. Our selection includes local West Coast fish like rock cod, black cod, lingcod, and halibut, as well as shellfish, whole fish, and unique specialty items such as alligator, escargot, and caviar. We also provide value-added prepared foods like poke kits, salmon burgers, and oven-ready meals.

Who does Lusamerica supply seafood to?

We distribute seafood to a wide range of businesses, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, food service companies, military bases, tech companies, and even entertainment studios. With three strategically located processing plants along the U.S. West Coast, we ensure fresh, high-quality seafood delivered with efficiency and care. Please note we do not sell directly to the public. You must have a business license to purchase seafood from Lusamerica.

Does Lusamerica offer locally sourced seafood?

Yes! Lusamerica partners directly with West Coast fishermen and even operates its own dock in Monterey Bay. We proudly offer a wide range of local seafood like Dungeness crab, king salmon, rockfish, black cod, lingcod, Dover sole, and more—helping support regional fisheries and promote sustainable seafood sourcing.

What prepared or value-added seafood products does Lusamerica carry?

Lusamerica’s in-house chef team creates a wide variety of ready-to-cook and grab-and-go seafood items. Popular offerings include ceviche, ahi and salmon poke kits, salmon burgers, stuffed salmon, seafood kabobs, cedar plank salmon, and oven-ready meal trays—perfect for retail and foodservice customers looking to save time without compromising quality.

How does Lusamerica ensure the sustainability and traceability of its seafood products?

Lusamerica is committed to environmentally responsible practices, offering a broad range of sustainable seafood products certified by organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). To ensure traceability, Lusamerica utilizes systems like SAP and Trace Register, tracking key data elements including species name, country of origin, fishing or farming methods, and eco-certification numbers. This comprehensive approach ensures transparency and supports sustainable seafood sourcing. lusamerica.com

What initiatives does Lusamerica undertake to minimize its environmental impact beyond seafood sourcing?

Beyond sustainable seafood sourcing, Lusamerica implements several environmental initiatives:

Innovative Packaging: Developed the recyclable Tasty Catch® box, eliminating the need for non-recyclable materials like heavily waxed cardboard and Styrofoam.
Recycling Programs: All offices and plants participate in recycling cardboard, glass, metals, and paper, and have systems in place to recycle 100% of incoming Styrofoam and waxed cardboard boxes.
Vehicle Emissions: Lusamerica’s delivery trucks comply with California’s strict emissions standards, reducing their carbon footprint.

Where does the name Lusamerica come from?

The name Lusamerica combines “Lusa,” short for Lusitania (the ancient Roman province that includes modern-day Portugal), with “America,” reflecting the company’s Portuguese roots and its presence in the United States. Founded in 1975, Lusamerica is a family and minority-owned company with deep heritage and a strong commitment to quality seafood.

Where is Lusamerica located and where do they distribute seafood?

Lusamerica operates three state-of-the-art processing facilities strategically located on the U.S. West Coast (our Pacific Northwest plant is near Seattle, our NorCal plant is near Silicon Valley, and our SoCal plant is in Los Angeles). From these hubs, we distribute fresh and frozen seafood to businesses across the Western United States and beyond, including supermarkets, restaurants, tech campuses, hospitals, and more. We also are a first receiver of local fish in Monterey Bay (central coast California), Fort Bragg (NorCal), and have a sister-company in Port Angeles (Olympic Peninsula, WA).

What certifications does Lusamerica have for responsible seafood sourcing?

Lusamerica offers a wide range of responsibly sourced seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Fair Trade, and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). These certifications ensure that the seafood meets rigorous environmental and social responsibility standards. Our facilities are also certified by Safe and Quality Foods (SQF), the FDA, and the Department of Commerce.

About Lusamerica

Family owned and operated since 1975 distributing seafood to the Western United States and beyond.

Tel: (408) 778-7200 | toll free: (800) 974-6622 | email: info@lusamerica.com