NEW YORK - Regal New Zealand King Salmon is expanding US distribution of its salmon with the launch of its premium Regal Fresh King Salmon at all Fresh Thyme Market grocery stores across 10 Midwest states. 

Raised in the clean and cold waters of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds, the fresh king salmon will be sold by the pound from the seafood counters at Fresh Thyme Market grocery stores chainwide. The launch of the King salmon builds on the launch of Regal’s smoked salmon at Fresh Thyme stores last year. 

"We are delighted to become Fresh Thyme Market's strategic supplier for top-grade salmon," said Michael Fabbro, New Zealand King Salmon Co.'s vice president, North America. "The chain's shoppers have already said yes to our smoked salmon line. We know they'll enjoy adding fresh King filets to their culinary repertoire." 

In collaboration with Regal, Fresh Thyme Market grocery stores will provide shoppers with recipes and educational materials about the health benefits of king salmon, which has one of the highest natural healthy oil contents of all salmon varieties. This oil is a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which have important heart and brain health benefits and give the salmon a luscious, elegant texture that melts in the mouth. 

"This is something that doesn't happen every day in the grocery retail world of seafood," said Jason Resner, Fresh Thyme Market's vice president of fresh merchandising. "Allowing customers everyday access to this level of high-quality salmon fillet at a value, across 10 Midwest states, is a great way to start the new year."