Identifying and sourcing food from those with authentic integrity, is at times challenging. These businesses are often a bit outside of the noise and headlines for good reason. They have their head down, evolving and solving for their customers. This is the story of how that looks for Rich and Sena Wheeler.
Our interview may best be summed up as I asked the last question. It was a first for this author. When asked, about the final words they'd like to leave us with about their business, Rich Wheeler of 60º North Seafoods explains how grateful he is for his wife and business partner, Sena. It was followed up by an appreciative Sena Wheeler of Sena Sea, expressing her gratitude for the ability to share their roots, together, in wild seafood with their family and extended family (their customers). It was authentic, as you will see in the interview below.
Honoring their six generation family history of harvesting, with their family seems to be the essence of 60º North Seafoods and Sena Sea. The respect for their customers, the resource, environment and their family comes through time and again. Sena uses the introduction, "We are the Wheelers". That is not simply a tag line as you'll see in our interview - it is what uniquely stands behind their brand and business.
Top of mind these days is the integrity of food and it's supplier. In the case of Alaska's wild seafood, it has been a wild ride the last few years, leaving some buyers a bit timid. These same commercial buyers are already challenged by inflation, work force deficiencies and maintaining market share. As a result, the reliability and relationship with their supplier has become paramount. Consumers seeking a direct source are facing the same headwinds. The result are far more in depth questions than in the past and Rich and Sena explain how proud they are to respond and share their knowledge and experience.
Rich and Sena are big on the relationship they have with their customers, as evidenced by Rich putting his email and phone number at the top of the 60º North Seafoods homepage. He explains in our interview, his philosophy of being available and accessible to commercial buyers. Sena is no different in the consumer-focused Sena Sea. Her willingness to sort out selections, quantities and delivery dates that work best for her customers is her stock in trade. As she explains, their farmers market experiences, face-to-face with customers helped extend that relationship focus to their on-line store.
Rich and Sena's humble remarks also tell a story of collaboration with the fishing community.
"We're not special that we're generational fishing family. A lot of our small boat fishermen are generational fishing families."
While you listen to the interview below, you will hear Sena and Rich give sincere, heartfelt remarks about what Alaska and the resource means to them. As we normally ask our guests what makes them unique, their awe and respect for the natural resource stands out.
Please be our guest to watch the full interview with Rich and Sena Wheeler.
Video Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:16 Generational Fishing Families and the Fishing Industry
10:23 The Health Benefits of Omega-3s in Fish
14:27 Dispelling the Myth of Strong-Smelling Fish
27:36 The Importance of Quality and Customer Relationships
30:28 The Pristine Environment of Cordova, Alaska
36:50 Challenges and Opportunities in the Seafood Market
39:10 The Health Benefits of Seafood
44:33 Participating in and Appreciating the Food We Consume
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