Our Programs

SeaShare Seafood Donation Programs

SeaShare has created a number of innovative programs that add value and increase the volume of seafood donated to feed the hungry. Seafood companies and service providers throughout the country participate in one or more of these programs and many also make independent contributions of fish, other ingredients, logistical services and packaging. Here are some of our current and past programs:

Prohibited Species Bycatch Program
Since 1994, SeaShare has been the only organization authorized to receive donations of salmon and halibut caught as "bycatch" (incidental catches of non-targeted species) in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. SeaShare founder Tuck Donnelly worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service and key fishing companies to reclaim this valuable source of nutrition that was previously being discarded. Fishing boats and processors donate time and effort to retain these fish until they return to port. From there, SeaShare utilizes donated transportation to bring the fish down to Seattle, where it is held by a cold storage partner until it can be re-processed into usable forms for the food bank network.

Wild Alaska Canned Salmon
There isn't a better donation model than our canned salmon project. Every year we work with several companies to produce large volumes of wild Alaska salmon for hunger-relief. This product is particularly valuable to the food bank network because it does not need refrigeration, has a long shelf life, and provides exceptional nutritional benefits. The donors who collaborate on this project include: Alaska fishermen, processors, can suppliers, freight companies, label suppliers, labeling & inspection companies, local warehouses, and financial supporters.

Southeast Alaska Salmon Patties
SeaShare worked with Ocean Beauty Seafoods and Kraft Foods to purchase a large mincer that processes meat from late-season salmon, which is then shaped into patties. We utilize a simple recipe to minimize the ingredients we need to add, and to maximize the nutritional value of the patties. Over the last five years, this partnership has generated over 2 million pounds of salmon patties for hunger relief. We are still benefiting from the mincer that was purchased for this program.

At-Sea Processors Association "Community Catch" Program
Seven fishing companies and two seafood processors combine to donate approximately 500,000 pounds of frozen, breaded seafood portions every year. Beginning in 2000, the At-Sea Processors Association (APA) committed to support hunger-relief, and every year since then they've donated frozen whitefish blocks to SeaShare. We have two processing partners, one on the west coast and one on the east coast, who donate line-time, ingredients, and packaging to turn those blocks into finished, retail-type products. That's over 3 million pounds!

Dented and Lightweight Can Donations
SeaShare's ongoing "gleaning" program with two of the largest canned warehouses results in a consistent volume of canned seafood. Throughout the year, we coordinate the distribution of truckload quantities for the food bank network, as well as smaller donations for our local partner, Food Lifeline.

Regional Seafood Resource Development in New England
SeaShare worked with the Greater Boston Food Bank and Kraft Foods to develop an online donation program through Preferred Cold Storage in Boston. Seafood distributors can donate odd lots held at Preferred with the click of a button. They are moved into the food bank’s account, consolidated, and shipped out on a regular basis. SeaShare and Feeding America hope to duplicate this successful model in other major areas.

Aquaculture for Hunger-Relief
Starting in 2006, SeaShare and Feeding America have successfully developed and expanded a catfish program that includes catfish farmers, processors, a breading supplier, and financial donors. Catfish are the most popular finfish farmed in the United States and this product is particularly enjoyed throughout the southern portion of the United States. SeaShare and Feeding America, working with two catfish processors, supplied 645,000 pounds of catfish nuggets to the network in 2007.