Rockland, Maine – November 23, 2010 – Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster, a vertically integrated trap to table lobster company announced today it has reached an agreement with Walmart to introduce from Maine an innovation in lobster eating: cooked cocktail claws with easy shell removal made possible by freezing and pre-scoring areas of the shell. The new product is a holiday special that can be found not only in some Maine locations but also in over 750 Walmart stores from coast to coast.

Bean’s new Maine plant is producing the scored claws, with Bean buying upwards of 4 million pounds a year of Maine live lobsters from the productive mid-coast region.  Her lobster business, started in 2007, is dedicated to creating new markets for Maine fishermen who have been struggling under low pay conditions during the world economic downturn.

Linda Bean, granddaughter of famed Maine retailer, L. L. Bean, says she developed the new product when a new law went into place in July, enabling parts of lobsters to be marketed in their shells. 

“Walmart was also the first national retailer to choose my live lobster brand tagging innovation two years ago, a stretch bracelet over one claw that identifies exactly from which Maine village wharf I bought lobsters directly off the boat,”  reminds Bean.  “We have had an excellent relationship, and Walmart wants to do business with only sustainable fisheries, which ours is.”

“In the present era, traceability of seafood to its source is important to consumers, and to work with Walmart on a mutual course for MSC certification of sustainability of our Maine lobster fishery is our high priority,” emphasizes Bean, who initiated the application for her state. The Marine Stewardship Council is the largest certifier of sustainable fisheries in the world and is independently located in London.  “To now produce a brand new full custody, from trap to table, Maine lobster product Walmart thinks could be a big winner for the consumer, is thrilling.”

“The lobster claws, dipped in melted butter, are a perfect offering when entertaining friends and family,” says Bean, “and the holidays are upon us!”

The retail package contains five to six arm claw sections that are packed in 1 lb bags. Ten pound and thirty pound foodservice boxes are available from Bean’s plant.  Bean has trademarked the name “Lobster Cuddlers®” for restaurant cocktail claw applications.

“The new legal amendments in Maine law allow my plant to create exciting new in-shell products to bring a brighter future for Maine lobstermen and their families,” says Bean.

Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster™ www.LindaBeansMaineLobster.com will also be introducing a brand line of new frozen lobster products at the 2011 International Boston Seafood Show March 20-22.  Her production kitchen and packaging team are producing 5 packaged lobster meal specialties.

All of Bean’s Maine lobster products are authentic, traceable and sustainable, and they come with her personal guarantee: Authentic Maine Lobster, Wild Caught in the U.S.A. by Maine Fishermen using Sustainable Practices.

About Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster™