Ocean's Halo to supply seaweed products for retailers' private brand programs

San Francisco-based New Frontier Foods, maker of Ocean's Halo seaweed products, said Ocean's Halo signed a long-term exclusive sales and distribution agreement with one of the largest and most experienced USDA Organic seaweed producers globally to develop the first seaweed manufacturing plant in the United States, to be located in Southern California. The agreement and plant will allow the company to supply seaweed to all North America retailers in support of private label and branded products. The plant will open in the second quarter of 2016; in addition to private label production, it will produce all of Ocean's Halo's sheeted seaweed snack flavors.

Ocean's Halo seaweed snacks are USDA-certified organic, Project Non-GMO Verified, vegan certified, and made with only gluten-free ingredients, the company said. The brand's seasoning and flavors make it possible to use less salt than other brands use. Ocean's Halo also uses heart-healthy oils and invests in certified compostable materials for its packaging.

"We've been embraced by the healthy snacking community during the past nine months with our sheeted snacks, and want to be sure we stay ahead of the curve and consistently offer our consumers new, innovative healthy seaweed snack options," said Robert Mock, CEO and co-founder of Ocean's Halo. "The opening of the manufacturing facility in quarter two has not only provided tremendous advantages within our supply chain, but will also allow us to provide much faster and more cost-effective seaweed supply for U.S. retailers in support of their branded and private label products."