Our Greenshell mussels start their life in the ocean as tiny spat, anchored onto seaweed. Our spat mostly comes from the coast at the top of New Zealand’s North Island, and is brought down to our farms in Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island. The spat are seeded on to ropes using biodegradable material, and cared for throughout their growth cycle by our passionate marine farm team.

The Monterey Bay Seafood Watch programme has rated Greenshell mussels as one of the most sustainable seafood products in the world because the environmental impacts of farming are minimal. 

Kono is accredited under the A+ New Zealand Sustainable Aquaculture programme, which focuses on a range of areas including healthy ecology, clean clear water management, and efficient use of resources. New Zealand operates one of the strictest quality assurance programmes in the world. Water quality is rigorously and constantly monitored with testing carried out to specifications and standards set by the USFDA, European Union and Food Safety Authority. Processing methods adhere to New Zealand government regulations and international food processing standards, including the USFDA. Regular audits are carried out by New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industry inspectors as well as buyer appointed auditors. The Kono seafood factory runs its own quality control program including a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.