Prior to the millennium, DFG handed out the salmon directly to various food banks, churches, shelters and individuals. But since 2000, DFG has worked with American Canadian Fisheries, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, to receive, process, and distribute frozen salmon fillets.

“As resource managers, we're proud that as we help complete the life cycle of these fish, we can also provide food for so many people in need,” said Ryan Broddrick, DFG director.

In some locations, whole salmon are provided to Native American tribes, for whom the salmon holds cultural significance. More than 40 tribes in northern California receive salmon, either directly or through Enterprise Rancheria, a tribal government.

“Traditionally, salmon has been a main staple of our diets,” said Kathy Frazier, tribal administrator with Enterprise Rancheria. “By working with the Department we maintain our connection to this part of our heritage while helping to provide nutritious food to families in our area.”

Fish designated for processing go to American Canadian Fisheries in Bellingham, WA, where the salmon are inspected. Those suitable for consumption are turned into fillets, frozen and packaged. The fillets are then returned either to hatcheries or to California Emergency Foodlink for distribution. Salmon fillets are distributed to more than 100 nonprofit organizations and food banks across northern California and southern Oregon and into the San Francisco Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley.

“There is no charge to the Department, the hatcheries, or the food banks for the service,” said Garrett Reynolds, California division manager for American Canadian Fisheries. “We pick up the fish, process it, and then return the edible parts to California in the form of frozen fillets. The unused eggs, unused meat, and scraps like the tails and fins are then turned into other products which cover our expenses.”

American Canadian Fisheries supplies eggs to bait manufacturers, while turning the rest into either pet food or fertilizer. The company will deliver the last of the processed fillets to Emergency Foodlink in Sacramento in the next few weeks.

DFG salmon hatcheries receive operational funding from the agencies whose activities they mitigate for, including: the California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and PacificCorp.