Correspondence
Email sent to Scott Golden, External Communications and Community Engagement Leader at Performance Food Group. January 17, 2023: A letter with the same text as the email dated January 10 was sent by certified mail.
The email described abuses on the Zhen Fa 7 jigger owned by Rongcheng Wangdao, including the death of one crew member and disembarkation of a second for medical care after mistreatment on board, and multiple indicators of forced labor among the ship’s crew. It then traced squid from that vessel to the Chishan Group processors, which supply squid to Lund’s Fisheries, The Town Dock and Ruggiero’s Seafood Inc, all of whom supply Performance Food Group. The email also noted Chishan ships had been observed fishing in North Korean waters in violation of UN sanctions. The email asked if PFG had any comment to make in light of the information discovered in The Outlaw Ocean Project investigation.
Email sent to PFG, outlining supply chain connections to the Zhen Fa 7 via Rongcheng Xinhui to Cal Ranch, whose Pacific Ranch brand squid is sold by PFG.