We Need your help
Americas Gleaned Seafood
Working With Our Commercial Seafood Industry To Provide Fresh Donated Fish To Feed The Hungry
Millions of people in the United States go hungry, even though our country has enough food for everyone.
One reason for this fact - it’s difficult to get food from where it’s harvested or even where it’s being wasted - to people who need it most...
Farmers gather leftover crops after the harvest and donate this “gleaned” produce to food banks. Grocery stores also participate in gleaning programs by providing excess food to the food insecure.
But, these donations are not enough and it is difficult to get protein-rich foods with current gleaning programs.
In 2018, Americas Gleaned Seafood, (AGS) a New Jersey 501 (c)(3) nonprofit was formed to make fresh, NJ caught, protein-rich seafood available to New Jersey’s food banks on a regular, sustainable basis.
New Jersey is home to a robust commercial fishing industry. The state’s 6 major ports harvest more than 120 million pounds of seafood annually. But a large percentage - up to 25 million pounds - is “bycatch”, meaning it is not the fishermen’s targeted species or for a variety of reasons, it is not marketable (National Marine Fisheries Service & NOAA, 2013). Per current regulations, this bycatch is discarded overboard, but it is perfectly good and could be donated to help feed people in need. Most fishers would prefer to do so, but there’s never been a workable process in place to do so. That is the reason AGS was created.
AGS is the lifelong dream of founder Brick Wenzel, a veteran commercial fisherman and business owner who is using his knowledge and industry connections to get the seafood (protein) to those who are in need. AGS’ Board has helped to design the program structure and includes a former NJ Fish and Wildlife Director, Fisheries Technician, Marine Biologist, Food Pantry Executive Director, and other industry specialists.
The program is simple. AGS recruits fishing co-ops, docks, and commercial fishermen and each port maintains seafood gleaning boxes where fishermen can deposit their bycatch donations. Seafood processing partners pick up and process the gleaned seafood (clean, filet, freeze, and package at a reduced cost), which are labeled and delivered to partnering food banks. From there, the seafood (along with simple, corresponding recipes) is distributed to families in need through the foodbanks pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other programs.
Seafood Gleaning Program Impact
The benefits of this program are numerous. Low-income families, who do not have the resources to afford high-quality protein like seafood, get the food they need to live and be healthy. Food banks receive a regular donation of items that they rarely receive or can afford to buy. NJ’s commercial fishing industry is supported and promoted as a partner in reducing the amount of unused seafood and helping to feed local families. Additionally, the program provides important data for better fishery management and environmental sustainability.
In 2019, AGS launched the gleaning program at three Monmouth and Ocean County ports: Belford, Barnegat Light and Point Pleasant. The seafood donated at these ports is processed by Trinity Seafood (SYSCO) in Lakewood, NJ and made available to more than 136,000 low-income families served by Fulfill, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, which has seen a marked increase in need since the pandemic began.
With need continuing to increase, in 2021, AGS is expanding to Cape May, the largest port in NJ, and will be partnering with as many as 30 family-owned vessels that distribute nearly 75 million pounds of fresh and frozen fish each year. Seafood gleaned from this port will be distributed through food banks serving Southern and Northern NJ. Considering the size of the Cape May port, the number of potential participating vessels, and the capacity of NJ’s food bank system, AGS could provide millions of healthy meals to NJ residents . Your financial support for the Cape May expansion could revolutionize NJ’s hunger relief efforts.
Your Help Is Needed To Expand the Fight Against Hunger
To date, thousands of pounds of seafood have been gleaned and more than 80,000 meals in 2023 have been provided to Monmouth, Essex and Ocean County families. Since AGS is utilizing many existing resources and systems, its primary expense is processing. This is where we need your help. The program is very cost-effective since fishers do not get paid and all seafood is donated.
With as little as a $50 donation, eighty 4 oz.( $0.50/meal) portions of New Jersey seafood can be given to families, while also providing significant environmental, health, industry, and community benefits.
With as little as a $50 donation, eighty 4 oz.($0.50/meal) portions of New Jersey seafood can be given to families, while also providing significant environmental, health, industry, and community benefits.
Help Our Cause
Working With Our Commercial Seafood Industry To Provide Fresh Donated Fish To Feed The Hungry
Contact Us
MAIL DONATIONS TO:
AMERICAS GLEANED SEAFOOD
P.O. Box 94 ,Lavallette, New Jersey 08735
Americas Gleaned Seafood
P.O. Box 94 ,Lavallette, New Jersey 08735
Hours 24/7
