Why we sell wild-caught seafood from Alaska in the Midwest

The seafood lovers' dilemma in the Midwest

I love the Midwest. Our home is here. And our farm is here. The food produced in this part of the country is diverse, rich and delicious. We are all about local.

I also happen to love great seafood. This love is shared by many of our friends and customers. Seafood tastes great and is rich in many macro and micronutrients.

This love of seafood raised a bit of a dilemma. How could I access great seafood and avoid compromising our values of environmental sustainability and quality nutrition?

Our Midwest farm is a long way from either coast. And, unfortunately, there are issues with pollution and cleanliness in many of our local waters.

To solve this predicament, there were a couple subjects that needed to be addressed. Where do I go for this seafood and who do I work with to make the connection?

What makes Alaska a great source for seafood?

We chose Alaska for our primary source. There are a few reasons for this.

1) Sustainability

While it was news to me, sustainability of its fisheries was actually written into the Alaskan constitution in 1959! Sustainability is a big deal both for now and the future of food and humanity. And is my number one priority.

2) Clean waters

The waters of the seas around Alaska are some of the cleanest in the world. The cold, clear waters are rich in biodiversity. And, as a result, produce incredible quality in the fish harvested.

The fish are also clean and free from the eating restrictions that come with fish sourced from areas that contain a toxic buildup of pollutants.

3) Support of local communities

The coastal communities of Alaska are reliant on the fishing industry for survival. There are generations of fishing families in these communities that are supported by sustainable fishing. We are buying US produced food. While not as local as the Midwest, it is as close as we can get and still get seafood.

4) A trusted partner

This brings us to our partner, Bering Bounty. I met Captain Mark in the Farm and Fleet parking lot in Verona, WI. I thought I was meeting the owner of a wholesale fish company.

I was excited to discover that he wasn’t just the owner. He is also a lifelong fisherman. He told me that in the coming week he would be traveling back to Alaska to fish for several months. He was going to restock the supply of salmon in cold storage back here in Wisconsin.

I also discovered we had a lot in common. Concern for quality and sustainability. And marketing your own product! I learned that he spends most of his year fishing in Alaska but calls Madison, WI his home.

5) A simple supply chain

The supply chain is simple. Mark and his crew harvest fish in the Bering Sea. They partner with a coastal packing house. Much like our farm partnering with Avon Locker plant here in Wisco.

The fish is vacuum packed and quickly frozen for freshness. Only the best is shipped by freighter to Seattle. Captain Mark’s commitment to local means that he hires a Wisconsin based trucking company to then bring the fish from the seaport in Seattle to the Midwest.

I am lucky enough to be able to sell his fish to you to cook at home and serve on your tables. I found a better solution than I imagined. I can purchase directly from an actual fisherman. Five kinds of salmon, halibut, and sablefish. Fished from sustainable and clean Alaskan seas.

Want to learn more about Alaskan seafood?

A site dedicated to Alaska Seafood that you may enjoy is www.alaskaseafood.org. On the site, you'll find recipes, ideas and more education. When you are done browsing you can swing right back to the Sparrow Hill Farm online store and pick some up for yourself to try.

If you like seafood, you will love the freshness and flavor of the fish sustainability harvested by Captain Mark!

Browse our selection of wild-caught Alaskan seafood.