Shore-to-door delivery meets growing demand for seafood in landlocked Czech Republic

A new study by the Center for Health, Nutrition and Food for the State Institute of Public Health in cooperation with the University Hospital Brno, found that adequate intake of Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, can lower chronic inflammation and stave off Covid-19 complications such as pneumonia.

The study also reflected some not-so-positive outcomes; particularly that the majority of the Czech population consumes a diet that lacks anti-inflammatory nutrients supplied by omega-3 fatty acids. 

Both the unfamiliarity with and unavailability of fresh fish on the local market were the driving force behind the creation of the Czech Republic's first shore-to-door delivery box, Boxxi, now celebrating a year on the Czech market with some tasty additions that reinforce the health benefits of Omega-3-rich fish.

The Boxxi e-shop debuted last October in a bid to offer people in Prague easy access to quality saltwater fish. The delivery service's reach has grown exponentially since then, but Katy Youngová, Boxxi's sales and marketing specialist says that there's still a lack of education regarding the importance of fish as part of a healthy diet.

"Due to the very low consumption of fish and seafood in the Czech Republic, we need to educate consumers about all the benefits," she explains. "While demand for fish is increasing due to Covid, this is mainly because of vitamin D. There's still the challenge of educating Czechs about why it's better to buy good fish than to buy supplements in the pharmacy."

Young's partner, Boxxi.cz owner Marek Jirovec, began spreading the gospel of fresh salmon after a visit to Iceland a few years ago. Jirovec was startled to discover that the fish he was buying in Prague paled in taste, texture, and freshness compared to the freshly-caught options of the North.

He began bringing fish home to the Czech Republic in small quantities just for friends and family until the venture started to grow with friends of friends requesting fish until the pair ran out of storage space at home.

Boxxi has now expanded its offering to include cod, Arctic salmon, monkfish, wild salmon, tuna steak, and redfish. There’s also more seafood to choose from, including shrimp, calamari, and prawns.

"Our fish can now reach about 70% of addresses in the Czech Republic – all safely and freshly packaged in a sustainable way without the need for shipping poly boxes," says Youngová.

Curated boxes and Boxxi SUSHI are new additions to the service, with the latter including a bamboo sushi mat and chopsticks, as well as a selection of shrimp, Arctic salmon, and tuna steak to make your own sushi at home.

Other new products geared at helping locals enjoy the health benefits of fish include a Boxxi STARTER (with tried and trusted classics such as Arctic salmon, seabass, and cod) or the Boxxi WILD with the best selection of wild fish (and shrimp) caught by fishermen for a true taste of the North. 

Boxxi is also working on the expansion of its portfolio beyond just fish and seafood products. “During the past few months, we have added many new products to our deli section,” says Youngová.

Icelandic chocolates, vintage sardines, and Italian delicacies are complemented with champagne as well as wine from small local vineyards that pairs well with fish.

For cooking aficionados or those looking for the perfect food-related gift, the Boxxi e-shop now stocks special cooking and grilling pans for fish, professional knives, mother-of-pearl caviar spoons, sets of flavored Icelandic sea salts, and gift vouchers. 

As part of its anniversary celebration, Boxxi is launching a Black Fish Day special this November – their own version of a Black Friday sale. The sale will run between November 4 and 7 and offer a 20 percent discount across its portfolio.

For those who have been thinking about incorporating more health-boosting fish into their diet, now is the perfect time to discover the flavors of the sea, preserved at the source.