Spotsylvania, VA… The Van Cleve Seafood Company announced plans to launch their line into the Whole Foods Market Mid-Atlantic Region this month.
"We are excited to offer Whole Foods Market customers our famous blue crab pie – named 'Virginia's Finest Item' every year since 2006," says Shelly Van Cleve, Co-Founder, Van Cleve Seafood Company.
The company started selling their decadent pies at their small wooden seafood shack years ago. As legend has it, the signature recipe was verbally passed down from a descendant of the kitchen staff at Stratford Hall, the homestead of General Robert E. Lee. The dish was a favorite of the Lee family.
The menu item was a hit amongst their restaurant patrons. Not only did customers travel hours just to experience it, filling their coolers to bring more home. But also, the crab pies became a part of many customers' holiday traditions. This was a true testament to the quality and love of the product, and provided the Van Cleve's with the idea to shift the company's focus more toward retail.
According to Kevin McDade, Seafood Coordinator for Whole Foods Market Mid-Atlantic region, "Whole Foods Market works hard to foster supplier partnerships with brands that share our core values for high-quality, sustainable ingredients in an effort to offer our customers unique and innovative dishes. The Van Cleve Seafood Company does just that."
The company sources their crabs domestically from MSC certified fisheries. The pies are handmade in small batches along the Chesapeake Bay, using only the finest, all-natural ingredients. And the historical, unpublished recipe remains a secret of the Van Cleve family.
This month, Whole Foods Market Mid-Atlantic Region will begin carrying The Van Cleve Seafood Company's 2-packs of scallop and bacon pie and 10-piece scallop and bacon phyllo cups, perfect for summer gatherings. The 2-pack of blue crab pies will be rolling out soon. The Van Cleve mother, double-daughter team, affectionately referred to as "Girls with Crabs" will be offering samplings at all 44 regional Whole Foods stores throughout the summer season.
For more information, stop by Booth #4929B at the Summer Fancy Food Show or contact Linda Parry at 914-523-1976 or email Lsparryinc@gmail.com
Source: The Van Cleve Seafood Company
