I meet the coolest people through my job. I love connecting with families who are excited about feeding their children good food, and I love meeting food producers, who nourish us.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shirley, the president of Pure Alaska Salmon Co. She comes from a long line of salmon fishermen (and women, of course) and cares deeply for the quality of the food that she eats and for the environmental implications of those choices. I had a few ideas for our interview and asked the What’s Cooking community on Facebook to chime in. Their questions were awesome – and Shirley was up for the challenge…She is even going to give one of you a case of canned salmon (details are below).
What’s Your Take on Wild vs. Farmed Salmon
Salmon are an athletic, traveling fish. They are not suited to fish farming or being confined in pens. Farmed salmon was an experiment that was done without adequate testing. They put salmon pens in prime wild salmon habitat. Imagine – there are thousands of salmon in pens, not migrating as nature intended. Their untreated poop sinks to the bottom of the ocean, fouling prime habitat. The flesh of farmed salmon is dyed to replicate the distinctive salmon color associated with wild salmon. Farmed salmon do not get the benefit of a naturally foraged diet, but must consume what is fed to them from bags. It is little different than raising commercial chickens. Wild salmon, especially in Alaska, are abundant. It is illegal to farm fish in Alaska. Perhaps another species of fish would be more suited to confinement or a sedentary lifestyle – and can be farmed in tanks on land, where they can’t cause any harm to the ocean or other fish.
What fishing methods to you use to catch salmon…and is it safe for other wildlife?
The Alaskan seafood industry is very tightly regulated, and as a consequence, it is very sustainable. We help to manage fish populations and maintain a healthy ecosystem.
We use Purse Seining as our method of catching salmon. It’s basically a net that circles around a school of fish and is then drawn together, like a purse. The fish are then brought on board and are then stored in cold water tanks on our ship. The salmon are swimming together in a school, so we hardly ever catch any other varieties of fish, and because we don’t drag our nets, we almost never catch any other types of animals.
Is there a fishing season?
Salmon are driven by a biological clock, and between mid-May and the early part of September, are moving towards their natal stream to spawn. Fishermen rely on tradition, experience and their understanding of the tides to locate schools of salmon to catch. Limits on salmon fishing ensure that enough salmon are able to reproduce to keep the populations healthy. By catching the fish that we do, we ensure that there is not excess oxygen depletion in the streams and optimize the streams so the newly hatched salmon to survive.
Is there BPA in your cans?
There is no BPA in the can, but there is currently BPA in the lid. We are phasing it out this year, and by the 2012 canning season, none of the can lids will contain BPA.
Why is canned salmon cheaper than frozen fillets?
Frozen fillets require a lot of energy to maintain (the freezing, frozen transport and frozen storage in the stores), but canned salmon has a very long shelf life. It can be easily stored in a warehouse if necessary. Canned salmon has a shelf life of 6 years from the date of processing.
What’s up with the bones and skin?
Currently, our canned fish contains bones and skin. The processing plant cuts the fish into steaks, which it puts into the cans. They are then pressure cooked, right inside the can. The bones and skin contribute nearly half of the omega-3 fatty acids in the fish. We recommend simply mashing up the skin and bones with the back of a fork, and serving it all together. We have served it like this, in salads, for example, to thousands of people at trade shows, and they don’t even notice. We plan to offer a boneless and skinless fillet in the future, but it will contain 1/2 less of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, the bones lend a lot of calcium as well.
Other health benefits of canned salmon?
There are 5 times the omega-3 fatty acids as conventional grocery store type chunk light tuna. There is no concern of mercury contamination with our wild caught Alaskan Salmon, so nursing and pregnant mothers can eat it as much as they’d like without any concern.
We can go to all the sierra club meetings you want – but shopping for food is where the rubber meets the road. ~ Shirley, President of Pure Alaska Salmon Co.
How would you like to win a case of canned Alaskan Salmon?
Important Details:
- This giveaway is open to USA residents only and will run until Friday June 17 at 11:59 p.m.
- Winner will be generated via a random number generator website. Winner will be notified via the contact email provided on the comment contact form.
- Winner(s) will have until 6/20/11 to claim their Salmon or I will choose another winner.
- Winner will receive one case of Canned Alaskan Salmon from Pure Alaska Seafood Co.
How to Win:
To be entered to win, leave a comment below sharing if you have ever used canned salmon and how you prepared it. If you have never tried canned salmon, please share what is appealing about it to you.
For additional entries, please leave comments below letting us know you did each of the following (we will check!):
- Subscribe to the What’s Cooking with Kids monthly newsletter (in the header of my website)
- Join the What’s Cooking with Kids community on Facebook. If you are already a member, please just let me know in the comments below.
- Like Pure Alaska Salmon Co. on Facebook
- Follow @whatscooking on Twitter
- Tweet this statement:
I just entered to win a case of Pure Alaska Salmon with @whatscooking. Enter here: http://su.pr/7ncYni
Disclosure
Pure Alaska Salmon Co. sent me two cases of canned salmon to use with my students and my family. We loved the salmon and wanted to share it with you – we were not compensated in any way to do this post or giveaway.
I make salmon patties and an amazing salmon dip with canned salmon. It’s also good on a salad. I did subscribe to the newsletter and liked What’s Cooking and the Salmon company on facebook.
I subscribed to your news letter! I have never tried canned salmon that I know of, but I’m very interested! I knew salmon was rich in nutrients and I did know about the difference of farmed and wild caught salmon, but the read was still very informative in a lot of ways. I always try to buy the best salmon possible, but I don’t buy it often because of the price. I usually like to grill or bake fillets, and I’m excited to try canned. I think it will open up a lot of options! Thanks!
I joined the What’s cooking communtity on facebook! Exciting!
I just liked Pure Alaska Salmon Company on fb.
I make salmon cakes every other week … we all love them including the kids! I am looking forward to trying this brand though, as I’ve been concerned about BPA in the cans. Hope that my local Hiller’s Market carries it! (If not, I’ll check Whole Foods!)
I have never used canned Salmon. I always thought it was farm raised for some reason so I always passed it by. I will have to try it.
We love to use canned salmon to make salmon patties, sometimes I even shape them like fish for the kids. They love them like that.
I “like” What’s cooking on facebook
I like Pure Alaska Salmon on facebook
I follow you on twitter.
@jamnsfld76
I’m already a member of the cooking with Kids facebook community :O)
I use canned salmon about once every week or two. I use “good” wild caught brands with minimal additives. I use in tons of ways, but “home” is to saute onions, garlic and tomatoes, add some low sodium soy sauce and pour it all over fresh seamed rice. I use fresh salmon once a week.
already a member, already subscribed, Liked pure alaska
I use it occasionally to make salmon cakes.
I subscribe to your monthly newsletter.
I have never used canned salmon, but am very interested in trying it. I know I love fresh Alaskan Salmon. I follow you on twitter and will like What’s Cooking with Kids on facebook.
Hi,
I do use canned salmon, sometimes like you would tuna to make a salad, sometimes to make fish cakes. Loveit!!
I subscribe to the What’s cooking with Kids newsletter.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I also belong to the What’s cooking with kids community on facebook.
I’m already a happy subscriber to What’s Cooking? and I’ve even decided to launch Cooking Camp for Kids this summer!
Thanks,
Michelle
I have never used canned Salmon but you have just converted me to never buying farmed again!! WOW!! I would love, love, LOVE to win this!!!
I always buy canned salmon, it easy to use and I love it! My favorite thing to make with it is salmon patties. Whenever I run out, I’m on my way to the store to pick up some more. It a must-have in our pantry!
I subscribed to What’s Cooking with Kids via email.
I like Pure Alaska Salmon Co. on facebook.
I’m already a fan of the What’s Cooking with Kids community on facebook.
hi i already liked What’s Cooking with Kids community on Facebook.
I’ve only really used canned salmon as a salad (with mayo, etc). I’d LOVE to experiment with it a bit!
also. i have yet to try canned salmon. we are BIG salmon eaters. fresh and even frozen sometimes…… it can be pretty expensive. i also wanted to find a way to send it in my 8 yr olds school lunches…. i was thinking over salad. i wasnt sure if you could make a salmon salad, like a crab or tuna salad.
following whats cooking on twitter
I do make a mean salmon patty! But i love the flexibility of having it on the shelf if we needed protein!
I followed on twitter
I tweeted about the giveaway
I liked pure alaska salmon
I am a member whats cooking kids
I suscribed to all the newsletters!
I already follow you on Facebook!
We use alot of canned salmon, making salmon patties with it,my daughter LOVES salmon and i think she would eat it daily if she could!
Used to live in Alaska and loved fishing during salmon season! my best catch was a 55 lb King ……ahhhhh loved the battle!! lol
I have never used canned salmon. I do make salmon often though. Would love to used the canned salmon. I am sure I can find some yummy recipes. Salmon cakes!?!
I like Whats cooking, I subscribed to the newsletter, and I liked the FB Pure Alaskan Salmon
I “LIKED” Pure Alaska Salmon Co. on Facebook!!
Member of What’s Cooking on fb!
Just liked Pure Alaska on FB…
Subscribed to newsletter too.
Now following @whatscooking on Twitter
Also tweeted the contest message.
I mix the canned salmon with chopped celery, vadalia onion, minced garlic, scallion, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture on sliced scallion pancakes for appetizer.
I liked Pure Alaska Salmon Company on fb
I have tried canned salmon; and thought maybe it was farmed also but I loved it. I made salmon cakes (with oats) and a tzatziki like sauce to go with it. It was ok, but tasted better the next day cold as a salad with the sauce mixed in over lettuce.
I already subscribe to the newsletter
I already “like” your FB page
I “liked” the Alaskan Salmon company FB page
I adore salmon patties! We have them all the time because they taste wonderful and are a great way to get healthy omega-3′s in our diet. I would love to win a case! Here is a link to my super easy recipe: http://www.sparkymarketing.com/?p=748 Blessings!
I love me some Wild Alaskan Salmon, any way I can get it!
I usually keep Trader Joe’s in my pantry, and use it just like canned tuna. (Try using Fage 0% Greek Yogurt instead of mayonnaise… a far healthier and just as delicious alternative!). Would love to try Pure Alaskan Salmon Co’s and see how it compares. Thanks!
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/eatingrules/status/79567567592763392
I (already) like What’s Cooking on Facebook!
I (already) follow @whatscooking on Twitter!
I follow on twitter already!
I tweeted the contest message!
I ‘like’ Pure Alaska Salmon Co.’ on facebook!
We love Canned Salmon! Lightly fried Salmon Patties are a favorite!
I tweeted your giveaway!
I follow you on twitter!
I’ve been using it in spanish tortillas, an infinitely adaptable potato/egg dish. We also love salmon cakes and salads!
tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/katyshecooks/status/79574199278120962
I have Celiac Disease, & eating while traveling can be a challenge. I always take canned salmon with me when I travel for a healthy, safe meal on the go!
I found you through What’s Cooking With Kids on Facebook and came to see how everyone uses their canned salmon. We also do Salmon Cakes regularly (using Whole Foods’ recipe) and I make a salmon salad for sandwiches using salmon in place of tuna. Now that it’s summer surely someone has a good recipe for a cold pasta salad with salmon?
Canned Salmon. Tasty and full of wonderful memories of my grandmother.
My grandmother taught me how to make salmon cakes which we would have with eggs for breakfast or with a salad at lunch. During hot summers, she would add plain canned salmon on top of a green salad with lots of lemon, dill and pepper. Yum.
I’ll never forget going to the grocery store with her, I learned then that only “red” salmon would do, not pink. The cashier tried to convince her that canned pink slamon was so much cheaper. She eloquently replied “taste is priceless”.
My mom always made the best Salmon Patties. I haven’t tried yet, but will duplicate her recipe as soon as I win the case
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I use canned salmon to make salmon patties. I plan on trying it in salads this summer as well.
Canned salmon is a great thing to keep in the cupboard. Easy salmon burgers, casseroles, salads, etc. I would love to win this valuable (and heathly) prize!
For me, canned salmon brings me back to my childhood. My mother always had canned salmon in the both the kitchen and emergency basement pantries. She made the most incredible salmon croquettes with a white sauce with canned salmon. Part of the preparation, was removing the bones for the meat. We would all fight over the vertebrae. I loved that stuff. Please, keep the bones and skin in. As you stated, they boast the nutritional quality and quantity. I always search for great quality canned salmon with the bones in it, but usually to no avail. Please, I would LOVE to win a case of your salmon!
I like canned salmon in place of tuna in salad. I also like it on a bagel if lox is not available. In a pita too!!
I subscribe to the newsletter
I follow you on twitter
I love eating salmon as an alternative to tuna. I either open a can, pour it in a bowl, and eat as is, or with a salad. I’ve also added chopped celery and herbs. Yummy!
I haven’t tried canned salmon before, but think it would be a wonderful option for lazy dinners put together from the pantry’s contents. I know it would be perfect for salmon cakes (which would be awesome as a layer in Eggs Benedict), but would like to try it in other recipes. I follow you on twitter.
Back when we were living in the Bay Area, we only ate wild salmon. The one time we used canned was for a salmon salad.
tweeted!
I LOVE canned salmon as a go-to in the pantry. I use it mainly for salmon loaf or patties and my famous “salmon braid” made with crescent rolls… Would LOVE to win a case of this yummy looking salmon!
I’m a subscriber to the newsletter…
I’m part of the FB community!
I “like”d the Pure Alaska Salmon Co. on FB
I’m already a follower on Twitter (@scrapcatb)
I “tweeted” and copied it to FB as well!
http://twitter.com/#!/scrapcatb/status/80671423387009024
I make salmon patties!
mmm – i love salmon patties!
signed up for your newsletter
already a fan on fb
I love using canned salmon for wraps, sandwiches, and salads. I normally buy Wild Planet because all of their canned fish is BPA free and sustainable caught. I’m happy to learn of another brand moving in that direction.
I am already a fan of What’s Cooking on Facebook (Lo Shmo).
I am now a fan of Pure Alaska Salmon Co. on Facebook (Lo Shmo)
I’ve never used canned salmon, but we love, love, love salmon here so I’d be excited to try canned salmon – salmon cakes sound really yummy!
I already “like” What’s Cooking on Facebook.
I just subscribed to the monthly newsletter!
Canned salmon was one of our alternatives to tuna salad growing up, as was sardines. Today I love to revisit it and it’s a lot better than it was. I am fortunate to live in the California Coast where we can now get fresh off the boat salmon, but I’d use canned if I can’t get fresh.
I’m already a fan of What’s Cooking on FB.
We’ve never used canned salmon but eat salmon at least twice a week. Would be great to try out some new recipes with the canned version.
I’ve only tried a few brands of canned salmon and found them super fishy in a terrible way. Would love to try a new one that hopefully isn’t fishy/stinky! I’ve made salmon pastas (love) and salmon croquettes with them before. Cream sauce for the pasta so the stinkiness faded
I use canned salmon just like canned tuna — it’s great as salmon salad, mixed with Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter twist. Add a dollop of yogurt, a squeeze lemon juice, dill (fresh or dried), diced celery, and freshly ground black pepper, then mix to combine. Serve with crackers or crudités. Mm!
havent used canned salmon too often… havent found one I loved enough. I LOVE fresh wild salmon and smoked salmon. Lived in Finland and in Chile at different times in my earlier years and had the blessing of having the best wild salmon and smoked salmon of my life… so in order to like canned salmon it has to taste great!… I did try canned a couple times to make salmon cakes though.
cathy b
pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
subscribed to whats cooking with kids newsletter.
cathy b
pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
liked Whats cooking with kids on FB!
cathy b
pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
liked Pure Alaska Salmon Co on FB!
cathy b
pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
Salmon croquettes, salad (like you would make tuna salad), baked salmon loaf