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Traversing Policy: Southstream Seafoods’ Contribution to the Farm Bill

BySouthstream Seafood June 18, 2024August 22, 2024

As the House and Senate work on the proposed Farm Bill legislation, the emerging framework, for the first time ever, reflects a significant focus on seafood. This increased emphasis on seafood marks a significant turning point in legislative priorities, a shift that owes much to the collaborative efforts of industry stakeholders, including a Southstream Seafood employee, Tomas Conde, who actively participated in advocacy initiatives with The Future Leaders during their lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill in May.

These engagements involved meetings with key offices such as those of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Jack Reed, Representative Seth Magaziner, and Representative Gabe Amo. The Future Leaders team addressed crucial agenda items, advocating for the establishment of an Office of Seafood Policy within the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist and pushing for trade policies that secure access to essential seafood products for Americans’ long-term health.

Recent developments within the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate frameworks, encompassing both Democrat and Republican perspectives, reflect a growing awareness of the importance of seafood. Provisions include support for seafood in nutrition programs, a focus on aquaculture, efforts to provide much-needed credit to seafood-related businesses through programs like the Food Supply Chain Grant and Guaranteed Loan Program, and the creation of a seafood liaison at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance coordination on seafood policy. Additionally, there are proposals for technical assistance to bolster cold chain capacity and strategies to expand seafood processing in coastal communities.

The participation of a Southstream Seafoods’ employee who lobbied on Capitol Hill in May, along with NFI-coordinated outreach, has played a role in shaping these legislative priorities. The efforts of The Future Leaders have contributed to establishing a seafood liaison at the USDA and advancing proposals for expanding seafood processing in coastal areas. While the path of the Farm Bill remains dynamic, with ongoing discussions poised to impact post-election sessions or potential reauthorization in 2025, the momentum for change is undeniable.

Looking ahead, the 2024 Leadership Summit scheduled for September 23-26 in Washington, D.C., offers a further opportunity to advocate for critical seafood-related issues and garner continued support. This ongoing collaboration and advocacy are essential steps toward securing a sustainable and thriving future for the seafood industry and all its stakeholders.

For those interested in learning more about the proposed Farm Bill legislation and its implications for fisheries support, we recommend reading “Fishing Groups Praise US Senate Farm Bill for Including Fisheries Support.”

Choose Southstream Seafoods

At Southstream, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood to meet the nutritional needs of hospitals, retirement homes, and other institutions. Our brands, including Frostmark™, Thorfish, and I&J, stand for quality and sustainability. Explore our range of products on our website or contact us at sales@southstream.com for more information.

Top 10 Seafood Recipes for Father’s Day: Elevate Your Menu with Southstream Seafoods

BySouthstream Seafood June 12, 2024August 22, 2024

Discover how Southstream Seafoods can elevate your dining experience with our top 10 seafood recipes for Father’s Day. By incorporating our premium fish products, including Cod, Pollock, and Haddock, into your dishes, you’re choosing high-quality, sustainable seafood that brings variety and excitement to your menu. Enhance your menu this Father’s Day and beyond with the exceptional flavor and quality of Southstream Seafoods.

1. White Fish Tacos

Offer a customizable dining experience with buffet-style White Fish Tacos. Accompanied by pico de gallo, diced avocado, and other fixings, this dish allows for personalized touches, making it a crowd-pleaser.

*Source:* *Dish on Fish*. Get the recipe here.

2. Beer-Battered Wild Alaska Pollock and Chips

Bring a staple pub dish to your menu with this Wild Alaska Pollock recipe. This beer-battered classic offers an authentic, feel-good meal, perfect for a Father’s Day special.

3. Mediterranean Lemon-Garlic Haddock With Artichoke Hearts

This Mediterranean-style dish features haddock in a garlic-lemon sauce with artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and olives. It’s a refreshing option that adds sophistication to any menu.

*Source:* *The Mediterranean Dish*. Get the recipe here.

4. Crispy Parmesan Air Fryer Cod

This Crispy Parmesan Air Fryer Cod provides a healthy option. Using wild Alaska Pollock, this dish is cooked en papillote with a zesty chimichurri sauce, offering a fresh, herby, and tangy flavor profile.

*Source:* *The Recipe Critic*. Get the recipe here.

5. Instant Pot Cod Tikka Masala

Experience a fusion of flavors with Cod Tikka Masala. This dish can be served over basmati rice, with warm naan bread, or alongside your favorite vegetables, making it a versatile addition to your menu.

6. New England Baked Haddock

Simple yet delicious, New England Baked Haddock requires minimal ingredients: fish, butter, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. This dish is ideal for an easy yet impressive meal.

*Source:* *Bowl of Deliciou*s. Get the recipe here.

7. Wild Alaska Pollock en Papillote with Chimichurri Sauce

Cooking Pollock en papillote locks in flavors and moisture, while the vibrant chimichurri sauce adds a herby, spicy kick. This dish is sure to leave a mark and is perfect for sophisticated dining.

8. Lemon, Garlic and Herb Baked Cod

Fresh and flavorful Lemon, Garlic, and Herb-Baked Cod is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s an excellent menu item for a refined and quick meal, which makes it ideal for busy settings.

*Source:* *Baker by Nature*. Get the recipe here.

9. Wild Alaska Pollock Reuben

Reimagine the classic Reuben sandwich with Wild Alaska Pollock. This unique twist on a beloved favorite offers a distinctive and tasty option that’s sure to stand out.

*Source:* *Alaska Seafood*. Get the recipe here.

10. Beer Battered Haddock Bites

Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or sharing plate, this Beer Battered Haddock Bites is delicious. Serve with fries and mustard tartar sauce for a combination that will leave your guests wanting more.

*Source:* *More Than You Can Chew*. Get the recipe here.

Choose Southstream Seafoods

At Southstream, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood to meet the nutritional needs of hospitals, retirement homes, and other institutions. Our brands, including Frostmark™, Thorfish, and I&J, stand for quality and sustainability. Explore our range of products on our website or contact us at sales@southstream.com for more information.

For more recipe ideas and culinary inspiration, visit Dish on Fish.

NASEM Report Highlights Seafood’s Role in Child Development

BySouthstream Seafood May 22, 2024August 22, 2024

Southstream Seafoods is excited to share insights by Bailee Henderson from Food Safety Magazine, about the NASEM report, which provides access to critical information about seafood’s role in child development and the critical nutrients it provides. This extensive study marks a groundbreaking effort, highlighting the critical nature of the findings regarding the dietary habits of women and children. The report underscores the importance of nutrition, revealing that fish consumption among these groups falls significantly below the Dietary Guidelines recommendation of the advised twice-weekly intake. The NASEM report addresses nutritional benefits and mercury exposure concerns, which is a pivotal resource for policymakers and health professionals. For a deeper understanding, read Henderson’s article below.

A glimpse into the article:

Overall, the NASEM report findings show that most women of childbearing age, children, and adolescents do not consume the recommended amounts and types of seafood, and the report calls for strategies to support increasing consumption toward meeting recommendations. Although the committee found the existence of insufficient evidence suggesting a need to revise seafood consumption guidelines, the need to identify strategies to help individuals meet current guidelines is clear. The study also emphasizes the importance of a seafood diet in providing essential nutrients while minimizing exposure to toxins.

Eat More Fish—NASEM Concludes Study on Role of Seafood in Child Growth and Development

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has completed its study on “The Role of Seafood in Child Growth and Development,” fulfilling an October 2022 request from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The research aimed to better understand the nutritional benefits of seafood consumption weighed against the health risks posed by toxic heavy metals and other contaminants present in seafood, specifically concerning pregnant/nursing women and children and the developmental/lifelong effects of exposure.

According to NASEM, although seafood is an important source of key nutrients, it can also be a source of exposure to contaminants such as methylmercury; persistent pollutants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls; and microbiological hazards that may be detrimental to the growth and development of children. Still, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 (DGA) includes an overarching recommendation that all U.S. adults aim to consume at least 8 ounces (two servings) of seafood per week. Children are recommended to consume two servings per week proportional to the child’s total caloric intake, beginning at six months of age.

FDA’s Closer to Zero action plan was launched in April 2021 to reduce children’s exposure to four toxic heavy metals that can harm childhood development—arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury—and the action plan serves as the foundation for DGA seafood recommendations. The juxtaposition of nutritional benefits and toxicological risks associated with the consumption of seafood led the FDA to convene a committee to review the role of seafood in the diets of pregnant and lactating women and children, including adolescents, considering both the potentially detrimental components of seafood as well as those that are beneficial, to evaluate their respective, interacting, and complex roles in child development and lifelong health…

Want to learn more about the NASEM report, read this article by Bailee Henderson from Food Safety Magazine: Eat More Fish—NASEM Concludes Study on Role of Seafood in Child Growth and Development

About the Author: Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine.