Maine's Fishermen Feeding Mainers Program Offers Free Fish to Combat Food Insecurity
One solution for Maine's struggling fishing industry? Give fillets away for free
Npr
Image: Npr
Maine's fishing industry faces challenges from rising costs and declining fish populations, but the Fishermen Feeding Mainers program is making a difference. Launched in late 2020, it has donated over 1.8 million meals to schools and food banks by purchasing and processing locally caught fish, helping both fishermen and food-insecure residents.
- 01The program has spent over $4 million to purchase and process 1.3 million pounds of fish since its inception.
- 02In the last year alone, Fishermen Feeding Mainers provided over 200,000 meals to food banks and schools.
- 03The program began with a $374,000 donation from an anonymous foundation and has since secured additional funding.
- 04Mary Emerson, nutrition director at Westbrook High School, reports that the program allows schools to serve fish without worrying about costs.
- 05The Gulf of Maine Research Institute provides training for school staff on handling and preparing fish, promoting local seafood in schools.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Maine's fishing industry is grappling with rising costs and declining fish populations, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fishermen Feeding Mainers program, initiated in late 2020, has emerged as a vital lifeline, spending over $4 million to purchase and process 1.3 million pounds of locally caught fish for donation to schools and food banks. This initiative has successfully provided more than 1.8 million meals to those in need, with over 200,000 meals distributed last year alone. The program not only supports local fishermen, who have faced plummeting prices, but also introduces fish to students who may not typically consume it. Mary Emerson, the nutrition director at Westbrook High School, highlights how the program alleviates financial concerns associated with serving fish, allowing schools to focus on recipe development instead. Additionally, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers training for food service staff to enhance their skills in preparing seafood. As the program continues, it aims to cultivate a new generation of seafood consumers while bolstering the local fishing economy.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The program provides a vital food source for food-insecure residents while supporting local fishermen, helping to stabilize the fishing industry.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support initiatives that provide free local seafood to combat food insecurity?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.
&w=1200&q=75)

