According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States is the second largest consumer of seafood in the world after China. With several holidays around the corner, many of us are preparing for small celebrations at home. For many, holidays are about gathering with loved ones and eating delicious comfort food. While the number of guests at the table may be smaller this year, the importance of having quality, nutritious food – from both the land and sea – remains the same.
Consider including dishes made from U.S. farmed seafood this holiday season. For example, The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian and Italian American tradition that includes baked fish, pasta with shellfish, seafood stews, and salmon dip.
Many coastal residents already incorporate locally farmed seafood into holiday meals. Chilled shrimp cocktail are a great way to start the meal. Additionally, oysters are appealing appetizers on the half shell or in soup as they are in their prime during winter.
U.S. farmed seafood is a nutritious and sustainable protein! Aquaculture offers Americans access to safe, affordable, and healthy food choices produced with minimal impacts on the environment, including the most efficient form of animal protein production in agriculture.
In early November 2020, USDA kicked-off the ‘Aquaculture is Agriculture’ webinar to discuss six important and emerging themes in aquaculture including environmental management, aquatic health, supporting aquaculture, product and consumer marketing, product innovation and technology, and aquaculture production research. These six virtual sessions offered unique opportunities for discourse between USDA and U.S. aquaculture stakeholders to meet the high U.S. demand for seafood.
On December 11, 2020, we will wrap-up the webinar with presentations from USDA personnel and key stakeholders. USDA hopes this webinar will help the U.S. aquaculture industry best serve American consumers and U.S. fish, shellfish, and aquatic plant farming communities. If you’re interested in learning more about aquaculture, please join us by registering at www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_s91G98XiRri6Xw8o6COlqA.
Happy holidays!