Seafood Donation Program

Our Community Seafood Donation Program was created in April 2020 to help alleviate issues within the wholesale seafood distribution chain created by the COVID-19 global health crisis. With many restaurants only open for take-out options, there was a precipitous decrease in the wholesale demand for seafood, while at the same time a surge in food insecurity felt by many island residents. 

 

The Seafood Donation Program's initial goal was to link fishermen's harvests to community food support organizations creating an outlet for surplus local seafood while filling the community’s need for food.​ This program was funded by an initial grant from the Fink Family Foundation, which allowed the program's the impact and concept to proven successful. 

 

Through the spring and summer of 2020 and 2021 we received additional grants from the Permanent Endowment for Martha's Vineyard, Catch Together, and community members to expand the program. These contributions enabled the purchase of more than 46,000 pounds of local seafood (sea scallops, black sea bass, lobster, and scup) and the creation of over 110,370 seafood meals. These meals were distributed to food security organizations on and off the island including: the Island Food Pantry, the Good Shepherd Parish, the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, Island Grown Initiative, the Emergency Food Program, The MV Charter School, The Greater Boston Food Bank, and The New Bedford United Way.

 

Our Seafood Donation Program continues to purchase seafood from local fishermen and donate it to local food organizations. In 2023, we plan to donate flash frozen fish fillets to Island Grown Initiative's prepared food program. The fish will be made into ready-made meals and distributed to folks facing food insecurity. 

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Please consider donating to this program! It helps us keep our high quality seafood on the island, provide a fair price to fishermen, and create meals for the community!