HISTORY
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
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
With as little as a $50 donation, eighty 4oz. ($0.50/meal) portions of New Jersey seafood can be given to families, while also providing significant environmental, health, industry, and community benefits.
There is no better time to pursue innovative solutions that will not only help people struggling with food insecurity, but also help workers and industries use their skills to reimagine themselves as part of the solution to the problem of hunger. We hope you will join us in advancing Americas Gleaned Seafood’s mission and growing this program so we can bring fresh seafood to hundreds of thousands of families in New Jersey.
New Jersey Fishermen’s Dock Cooperative still strong, 70 years and counting
Guest Author:Robert E. Gourley, Jr.