Bridging the Seafood Divide: How Fish to Families Brings Fresh Catch to Underserved Communities
San Diego's abundance of fresh, locally caught seafood is a culinary treasure, but not everyone has equal access to it. As both a chef and the owner of Craft Catering, Marcus Twilegar, a South Bay native, understands this challenge all too well. Recognizing the need to bridge the gap, he joined forces with Peter Halmay, the president of the San Diego Fishermen's Working Group, to create the innovative Fish to Families program.Empowering Communities, Sustaining Livelihoods
Addressing Food Insecurity and Supporting Fishermen
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the food supply chain, Halmay saw an opportunity to redirect the surplus of fresh seafood that was no longer headed to restaurants. By securing funding from grants and donations, the Fish to Families program was born, with the goal of providing nutritious meals for families facing food insecurity while also keeping local fishermen in business during the pandemic shutdowns.Feeding San Diego estimates that more than 350,000 people in the region are food insecure, and Fish to Families has been a crucial lifeline for these communities. Twilegar estimates that the program has prepared around 19,000 pounds of fish, ensuring that families in need have access to high-quality, locally sourced seafood.Fostering Connections and Culinary Education
But Fish to Families is more than just a food distribution program. It has also served as a platform to connect fishermen and chefs, providing them with the tools, time, and funds to learn how to break down and cook every species of fish. This has further strengthened the relationships between these two vital components of the local food ecosystem, creating a symbiotic partnership that benefits the entire community."[Fish to Families] really connected the fishermen and chefs, and gave them tools to learn, the time, and the funds for the cooks to learn how to break down every single species of fish and how to cook it and turn it into a meal," Twilegar explains. "It further grew the relationships between fishermen and chefs, so that was a cool part of it."Overcoming Challenges and Seeking Sustainability
Despite the program's success, Fish to Families has faced its share of challenges. Twilegar admits that after the initial pandemic-driven surge, the program has encountered "donor fatigue," making it difficult to maintain the same level of support. However, a recent grant from the Parker Foundation has provided a lifeline, keeping the program operational for the time being.Looking ahead, Twilegar's goal is to make Fish to Families financially sustainable, ensuring that it can continue to positively impact the community for years to come. "The goal is to make it [financially] sustainable," he explains. "It positively impacts everybody, not just one organization… we're all helping each other."The Power of Community Collaboration
The story of Fish to Families is a testament to the power of community collaboration. By bringing together fishermen, chefs, and those facing food insecurity, the program has created a ripple effect of positive change, benefiting multiple stakeholders and demonstrating the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives.As Twilegar eloquently states, "It positively impacts everybody, not just one organization… we're all helping each other." This collaborative spirit is the driving force behind Fish to Families, and it serves as an inspiring example of how we can work together to address complex societal challenges and create a more equitable and sustainable food system.New
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