Preserved States imports seafood conservas directly from Spain and Portugal. Ranging from well-known consumer products like mussels, sardines, and razor clams to lesser known products like cockles and baby eels, all conservas are hand-packed using traditional methods. The fish and shellfish are processed hours after being pulled from the sea, preserving the freshness at its peak and showcasing the quality that tinned seafood can attain.

Preserved States is dedicated to working with producers that source seafood in a manner that adheres to sustainable fishing practices to ensure a healthy ecosystem and is even traceable down to the boat. The provenance of food is a core tenet of the company, and many of the other ingredients ingredients in the tin (such as tomatoes, peppers, bay leaf, olive oil, etc.) are also locally sourced.

Formerly culinary director of Folkart Restaurant Group, Andrew Gietzen began Preserved States in October 2017, after 20 years of working in restaurants throughout Chicago. Gietzen founded Preserved States to seek out products he longed to offer guests but could not readily find available in the U.S. while working alongside chefs Chris Pandel, Curtis Duffy, and Matthias Merges.

Where to Find Our Products

Preserved States primarily offers its imported products wholesale to restaurants and retailers (inquire here). Select products are also available online in our shop and from our friends at Rare Tea Cellar. A list of restaurants and retailers across the country that carry our products is coming soon.