A few years ago Monique Coombs, Director of Marine Programs of Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and Karen Parker, Executive Director of Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program started talking about a potential partnership between their two organizations. Now their plan has come to fruition.

Last year, Bert Jongerden at Portland Fish Exchange approached Coombs explaining that he was having a tough time moving some fish. Jongerden explains: “Occasionally, demand for fish gets weak” and “some species, usually cusk and hake, [experience] poor market value.” The fish normally seen on a menu like haddock or salmon sell easy. However, fish more common to Maine like cusk, monkfish, or catfish are not the customer’s typical choice.

“Instead of selling the fish at very low-cost, why not find a another market to sell the fish into? [It is] better for the boat and whomever receives the fresh fillets” Jongerden said. Coombs remembered her previous talks of collaboration with Parker and saw a potential new market: buy the surplus fish and donate it to MCHPP for use in their soup kitchen and food pantry. Parker thought it was a great idea: “We don’t often have fish to cook with and this would give us an opportunity to cook with local fish.”

Six months ago, Coombs applied for and received a grant from Maine Seagrant that allowed for the start of this partnership between MCFA and MCHPP. They got to work and the program began in June. The beginning could not have happened without the help from Mike Alfiero and the team at Harbor Fish Market who kindly have filleted the fish for the pilot portion of the program.

The first round of fish was a success at MCHPP. Clayton Putnam is a head chief at MCHPP who was enthusiastic about getting to cook with fish: “When I heard that a shipment of 40 pounds of catfish was available, I jumped at the chance. Our team whipped up some homemade corn bread, and fish chowder.”

Putnam explained that the clients of the soup kitchen welcomed the new lunch option and many requesting “seconds.” He says “nothing beats a smile or a client that approaches the front counter where I serve food, and extends a compliment regarding the lunch.”

This program has enabled more people to have access to healthy, fresh Maine protein. But not only has the program allowed more people to be feed, it has provided the Portland Fish Exchange with a valuable market for their surplus and less popular fish. Coombs explains that this partnership gives Portland Fish Exchange “an opportunity to still make a small amount while helping out their community.”

Coombs hopes to also elevate the role of the fisherman in feeding people through this project. Unlike the farmer, fingers are often pointed at fishermen. She aims for consumers to understand that fishermen are food harvesters and that a pescetarian diet can greatly benefit the environment.

With the first runs at the program being a success, MCFA and MCHPP hope to expand the program further. MCHPP wants to see it grow and develop fish recipes for clients to take home. MCFA hopes to track fishermen who are interested in donating fish so they can begin donating a portion of their catch to the program. Eventually, the organizations would like to see the program expand to other pantries and organizations who need to feed people at low costs.

Coombs says about the future of Maine fishermen:”[They] are a unique bunch with a strong set of values, and one of those values across many of Maine’s fishing communities is helping neighbors. Whether it’s a boat that needs help on the water or someone that’s sick and needs an extra hand, people in fishing communities are amazing at coming through for their neighbors, and projects and partnerships like this only allow for them to increase their generosity. Hopefully, another outcome will be that this project grows a bit and only increases the market for some of this fish that is not moving off the auction as quickly or is selling for a low-cost.”

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Monique Coombs at monique@mainecoastfishermen.org or call at (207) 807-5539.

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention is a nonprofit organization based in Brunswick and dedicated to the mission of providing hungry people with access to healthy food, working to improve the quality of their lives by partnering with others, and serving them in a manner that recognizes their dignity. For more information about MCHPP’s services, hours, and volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation, please visit mchpp.org.

Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association is a nonprofit organization based in Portland and dedicated to the mission of enhancing the sustainability of Maine’s fisheries through balancing the needs community based fishermen with the environmental restoration of the Gulf of Maine. For more information about MCFA’s services, hours, volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation, please visit www.mainecoastfishermen.org.

Giving Voice is a weekly collaboration among four local non-profit service agencies to share information and stories about their work in our community.