Meals for hungry Mainers and a lifeline for the fishing industry
By Amy Paradysz
Photo courtesy of MCFA.
This interconnected solution is so simple it’s genius.
Fishermen Feeding Mainers, a program of Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA), gives fishermen good prices for their catch, employs local processing facilities and distributes seafood to Mainers struggling to make ends meet.
“It’s been extremely impactful, both for the working waterfront and for folks in need,” said MCFA Executive Director Ben Martens. “We have more community organizations reaching out to us every week. And we have a bunch of fishermen are only fishing because of this program, because we have largely lost the restaurant market.”
Thanks to community donations, Fishermen Feeding Mainers has distributed more than $150,000 seafood meals to food insecure Mainers since last spring.
Good Shepherd Food Bank has partnered with Fishermen Feeding Mainers since the beginning. But, as word gets out, school districts and groups such as Presente Maine, Wabanaki Reach and the Angolan community of Maine have gratefully distributed fresh Maine seafood to people.
Photo courtesy of MCFA.
“If I could pick and choose where my fish went, I would definitely choose to help somebody out who otherwise wouldn’t have options to get that locally grown product,” said groundfisherman Brian Pearce. “It’s a worthwhile product.”
With the need continuing to rise, the program is anticipated to continue through the spring of 2021.
Watch the Knack Factory video on Fishermen Feeding Mainers, support Maine fishermen by buying from local or from restaurants or, donate via www.mainecoastfishermen.org.
