Small Boats, Big Taste Chowder Program

In response to the fishing and food security challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, we are proud to launch a new program to accomplish two key goals:
• Help independent fishermen stay on the water
• Serve the growing number of people who need a good, ready-to-serve meal by supplying regional food banks with a nutritious, delicious seafood chowder

The program’s first chowder is a traditional New England haddock chowder. Smaller haddock are plentiful in our waters, but do not command a strong price in the marketplace because their fillets are small, making them perfect for chowder. We guarantee fishermen a fair price for landing haddock, ensuring a steady buyer and keeping independent fishermen at work.

During 2020, we hope to produce more than 100,000 pounds of chowder and donate most of it to the region’s food banks, including The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Worcester County Food Bank. We are already on our way towards meeting our goal, as the first batch of 20,000 pounds was delivered the week of August 17.

Eventually, Small Boats, Big Taste chowder also will be available in retail locations. Sales will help food pantries feed the hungry, and keep American fishermen doing what they do best: FISHING!

Revenue from these retail purchases will make the program self-funding, allowing continued chowder donations to food banks for years to come.

We also hope to expand the program to other kinds of chowders, perhaps including quahog or oyster stew, based on the needs of local fishermen, and seasonal availability of fish and shellfish.

Follow #smallboatsbigtaste for the latest updates.

It takes a village to fast track a new program and we could not have done it without our partners:
• Haddock fishermen
• Chatham Fish & Lobster
• Great Eastern Seafood
• Plenus Group, Inc
• The Greater Boston Food Bank
• Merrimack Valley Food Bank
• The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
• Worcester County Food Bank
• The Family Pantry of Cape Cod
• Vervaine Design Studio
• Northeast Refrigerated 
• Catch Together

This program is made possible by funding from:
• Catch Together
• MIT Sea Grant Program
• Cape Cod Healthcare Community Benefits Program
• Individual donors