Blog

Courtesy of NAA:

As part of a broader educational program aimed at culinary educators and chefs, the National Aquaculture Association (NAA) exhibited at the American Culinary Federation National Convention & Show in Orlando. This meeting brought together more than 1,000 food professionals from across the country to learn more about recent culinary trends. NAA used the opportunity to distribute educational materials, take the pulse of the US foodservice industry, and establish new contacts. To expand the NAA culinary contact list, NAA coffee mugs were raffled off each day.

During the show, NAA also conducted a short quiz. This provided the opportunity to gain a better understanding of attitudes and perceptions, but even more importantly, it allowed NAA to provide critical information in a format that people will remember. For example, one question dealt with seafood consumption during pregnancy. According to USDA and FDA, seafood consumption during this critical period is important for the health of the developing fetus and many of the fish recommended are farm-raised. This is an area that is clouded by misconceptions, so it is vital information especially among culinary educators who are working directly with the target audience for the mercury advisory.

Quiz takers received an answer sheet that explained the information in-detail and provided references. The quiz spurred further discussion among the chefs. This is the kind of educational buzz NAA created to develop a cadre of chefs who have a positive attitude about US aquaculture and its products. Show visitors were eager to take the quiz. Everyone who completed a quiz received an NAA flash drive. The flash drives were loaded with information of particular interest to chefs including copies of all of NAA’s brochures and a set of foodservice recipes complete with nutritional analyses.

Several NAA members were in attendance at the convention, serving product and communicating the sustainable production of US farm-raised fish and shellfish. As a convention exhibitor, the NAA was able to offer one-day trade show guest passes to local members so they could see NAA in action and have the opportunity to talk with chefs and culinary professionals. Trade shows can be a very effective mechanism to meet the NAA goal of developing a positive mindset about US aquaculture among buyers and the general public.