Canadian Foodgrains and Fish Bank? Thousands of kilometers east from the grain fields of the prairies, food producers of another kind are catching the vision of feeding hungry people around the world. This spring the Fundy North Fisherman’s Association launched their charitable campaign ‘Fish for the Hungry’.

Fundy North represents fishermen along the New Brunswick Bay of Fundy coast from St. Martins to St. Stephen, including Campobello and Deer Island.  The association officially kicked off their partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank in St. Andrews By-the Sea on June 12th at their dockside lobster sale. Tourists and locals formed a continuous line for three hours to buy fresh lobster off of a local fishing boat.

The following Saturday, another sale took place in Saint John Harbour. All fishermen who participated in the spring dockside lobster sales generously donated 5% of their profits to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  Fishers were also encouraged to designate one trap to ‘Fish for the Hungry’ and donate the monies from the catch to the campaign.

The joke among the fishers involved in this project is that Canadian Foodgrains Bank will now have to change their name to Canadian Foodgrains and Fish Bank to reflect this historical partnership.  Our hats are off to participating fishers who are showing such generosity at a time when lobster prices are at historic lows. We are in hopes that this exciting beginning will lead to a long relationship between Fundy North and Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  It is a good day when seafarers on the east coast join dusty prairie farmers and other farmers across Canada to provide food aid and food security to vulnerable people around the world.

By Alden Crain, Volunteer Provincial Coordinator, Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Sheena Young, Program Coordinator, Fundy North Fisherman’s Assoc.