Barton Seaver
I am thrilled and honored that Sodexo chose recipes from my first cookbook, For Cod and Country, to help them celebrate sustainable seafood and Earth Day. When we talk about sustainable seafood, we are not just talking about sustaining the seas, but also about sustaining the communities that provide food for our tables. I have had the good fortune to work with many chefs across the Sodexo universe who understand this nuance and it’s an honor to be able to collaborate with such creative and talented teams.
Sustainable seafood is a multifaceted issue, but at its core it represents a conversation about how we interact with our oceans and ecosystems. Our fisheries are one of the primary causes of much of the damage imposed on our oceans by humans. With the plethora of seafood information available in the media and from non-profit organizations, it can be difficult to keep the data straight. All of the confusion around seafood choices is enough to make some choose to opt not to serve it at all rather than make a wrong decision.
For Cod and Country
Instead of fearing an unwise selection, we should focus on the opportunity we have to use our dollars as our voices and support fisheries that are creating positive change. We should remember, at the end of the day that the products we choose to use have more impact in restoring an appropriate relationship with our oceans than do the products we avoid. There are many resources available to consumers and food service providers to help guide these choices. The National Geographic Seafood Decision Guide and the Marine Stewardship Council guidelines are great examples.
As we think about Earth Day, please remember that over 70% of the planet’s surface is oceans. Any impact we have on our waters has very real implications on our own well-being and that of our communities. For Cod and Country is written as a celebration of the delicious opportunity we have to participate in restoring not only the health of the oceans but also the health of our bodies. You will find many of the dishes within rely very heavily on vegetables for flavor, texture, and bulk. This is no accident– we will never accomplish our goals for the resiliency of oceans nor will we accomplish the goal of healthy communities unless fruit, vegetables and grains make up the majority of our diets.
I know customers will enjoy the seafood that I am proud to serve with Sodexo during this Earth Week. I am thrilled for you to join us in this celebration and in eating with care so that we may continue to eat deliciously from the seas.
A recognized leader in sustainability by the New England Aquarium, Barton Seaver is a chef, author and Fellow with the National Geographic Society.
