The 2016 Washington Manufacturing Awards: Food/Beverage Processor of the Year

In the seafood industry, sustainability doesnt only cover what or how much you catch. It also means what you do with what youve caught, and how.

Trident has been making a big push to reduce waste and get more from the seafood it processes. At its Anacortes plant, Trident implemented more than a dozen measures, such as recycling breading and batter waste as livestock feed. It cut energy consumption by 20 percent, reduced indoor dust and outdoor odors, and increased production by 12 percent.

At a new plant in Bristol Bay, Alaska, Trident takes what used to be considered fish waste from its primary processing operation and turns it into fish oil and fishmeal products for aquaculture and pet feed. A new production and distribution center in Georgia features sealed, climate-controlled truck bays so products can be loaded without the trucks losing the cold air in their chilled compartments. All this while creating new products, such as an Alaskan pollock burger for the consumer market and the food-service sector.

Seven years ago, Amy Holyk started a business in her garage making artisanal pretzel snacks. The idea was simple: Treats made of real food, made sincerely by real people. Apparently, the world was waiting for them, to judge by Pretzel Perfections steady growth to 20 employees.

Our goal, says Holyk, is to wow consumers with snacks and treats they cant find from anyone else. … Life is simply too short to not have fun with your food.

Pretzel Perfection has fun making its gluten-free snacks in three shapes: clusters, sticks and the traditional twists. The flavors, however, are anything but traditional. Among the sweet offerings are raspberry truffle, lemon cheesecake and salted caramel. Savory options include chipotle barbecue, tomato basil and garlic herb.

As demand continues to grow, Holyk says Pretzel Perfection plans on relocating to a larger production facility and expanding its distribution in the grocery sector in the next couple of years.