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Portland Fish Exchange members push local branding and events to boost demand for landed seafood
Summary
Subcommittee members reported positive turnout at a waterfront outreach event and discussed low-cost marketing ideas — branded menu callouts, a food truck or pop-up at the exchange, social media, and pursuing USDA Local Food Promotion Program funding — to increase local demand for fish landed at the exchange.
Members of the Portland Fish Exchange subcommittee described outreach and marketing steps intended to raise demand for fish landed at PFE, following a well-attended waterfront event and continuing conversation about low-cost local campaigns and possible grant funding.
Lede: Robert and other members reported a strong public turnout for the recent waterfront “working waterfront” walk and said many attendees were local. “We had, I would guess, at least 50 different parties come through anywhere from 2 to parties of 12. I'm guessing between, 2 to 300 people total,” Robert said. Committee members said the event surfaced an opportunity: many residents do not realize when local fish are available and where to buy them.
Why it matters: Committee members argued that boosting local demand for PFE‑landed seafood could increase auction activity, improve prices for fishers and help sustain local seafood businesses.
Ideas and discussion
- Branded callouts and restaurant partnerships: members suggested encouraging local restaurants to add a PFE‑branded label on menus or specials indicating fish “landed at Portland Fish Exchange” to make origin explicit for diners. A committee member suggested asking local restaurateurs to display a PFE sticker or a menu note identifying local fish.
- Pop-up events and a food truck: Meredith proposed trialing a summer food‑truck event at the exchange or a simple pop‑up that sells items such as a haddock sandwich and provides information and whole‑fish displays. “Come to the food truck. Buy, you know, a haddock sandwich. Learn about where this fish came from specifically and where how you can support the industry,” Meredith said.
- Social media and low-cost collateral: members reported a new Facebook page exists and recommended posting recipes, photos, and “flashcards” with captains’ favorite recipes to promote local consumption.
- Grant funding: Mary and others noted the USDA Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP / LAMP) has a request-for-proposals window that could support marketing and community engagement work. Members said the grant deadline was imminent and that subcommittee members and MCFA staff could help prepare a proposal for a local promotion campaign.
No formal action was taken. Participants agreed to continue developing specific event and grant‑application ideas outside of a full public meeting and to coordinate with grant writers and MCFA staff on feasibility and timelines.
Ending
Members asked staff to circulate the USDA RFP details and to convene two‑person planning conversations (to avoid public‑meeting requirements) to refine a community engagement concept and potential LFPP/LAMP grant application.
