Fishing up fresh and sustainable school dishes

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Massachusetts is known for having some of the country’s oldest fishing communities. Local schools are aware of this fact and now over 30 school districts are providing a new healthy protein to school plates, fresh fish.

Gloucester Public School District and a local fishery, Cape Ann Fresh Catch (CAFC), are working together to bring fresh seafood into schools and offer students a healthy local food. This new movement is also helping local fishermen have sustainable businesses, as many fishermen need a way to sell unfamiliar and underutilized fish.

But that doesn’t mean the fish does not taste good. School food service staff, help make sure students catch on to these new offerings, by hosting student taste tests and offering promotional materials for the district to use.

North Coast Seafoods, a local seafood distributor also works to make fish the healthy and affordable choice, by offering schools local fish at under 75 cents per serving.

Local schools that have students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals like Chicopee Public Schools have sourced 100% sustainably harvested seafood. Giving over 7,800 students regular access to nutritious and affordable meals.

Fish is a healthy and lean protein, a perfect choice for those wanting to incorporate healthier foods into their diet. Connecting schools to healthy local foods may be one-way schools can help Latino kids have healthier diets.

Learn more at Massachusetts farm to school site!