Eat More Fish
If you are hungry to learn how incorporating more seafood into your meals can support a healthy lifestyle, you're in the right place! Eat More Fish is a free Virginia Cooperative Extension initiative to share the science behind the benefits of including more seafood in our diets, explore the historic seafood industry in Virginia, and uncover essential information to safely and deliciously prepare fish, oysters, and more at home. Joining our team of Extension specialists, industry insiders, and skilled cooks, you can build your confidence to bring fresh, local Virginia seafood into your own kitchen.
Webinar recordings, resources, and information about the various programs are all available online.
Summer 2023 - The Oyster Edition
Crack Open the World of Enjoying Oysters at Home with New Webinar Series
The second edition of Eat More Fish features all things oysters! In this three-part webinar series, you can explore the science behind incorporating oysters into our diets and learn the essential knowledge and techniques to safely and scrumptiously prepare oysters in your own kitchen — from selecting and handling to cooking and even shucking!
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August 9th - Get to Know Oysters
- Discover important oyster species in Virginia and their coastal distribution
- Explore the Virginia seafood industry, shellfish sector, and oyster sales
- Learn about oyster flavor profiles along the Virginia Oyster Trail
- Buying fresh and local - resources to find stores and growers
August 16th - Resources to Bring to the Plate
- Insights for dining out and ordering oysters at restaurants
- Ensure food safety with essential considerations and tips
- Hear from representatives from regulatory agencies about their roles and measures to ensure the shellfish you eat from state waters is safe
August 23rd - Let's Cook! And Shuck!
- Why eat oysters? - the nutritional and health benefits of consuming oysters
- The art of shucking and preparing oysters at home - demonstration video
- Cooking demonstrations - Easy recipes for preparing meals with oysters at home
This program is presented by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, and Virginia Tech's Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center with support from Virginia Sea Grant.
We are delighted to have presentations from representatives of the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Marine Products Board, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Oyster South.
Eat More Virginia Seafood Speakers and Program Team:
Katheryn Parraga-Estrada
Extension Specialist - Muscle Food Safety
Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Email: kparraga@vt.edu
Keri Rouse
Communications Associate
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia Tech Virginia Seafood AREC
Email: kmrouse@vt.edu
Cynthia Gregg
Unit Coordinator, Extension Agent
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Email: clgregg@vt.edu
Mike Hutt
Executive Director
Virginia Marine Products Board
mike.hutt@vdacs.virginia.gov
Charles Clark
Research Specialist Senior
Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center
charlestc@vt.edu
Melissa J. Southworth
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
melsouth@vims.edu
Bethany Walton
Executive Director - Oyster South
beth@oystersouth.com
Andrew Button
Deputy Chief, Shellfish Management Division
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
andrew.button@mrc.virginia.gov
Adam Wood
Growing Area Manager
Virginia Department of Health
adam.wood@vdh.virginia.gov
Sarah Good
Plant Program Manager
Virginia Department of Health
sarah.good@vdh.virginia.gov
Carlin Rafie
Asst Professor - Human Nutrition, Foods, & Exercise at Virginia Tech
crafie@vt.edu
Summer 2022 Webinar Series
Eat More Fish began in 2022 with a 4-part webinar series highlighting the nutritional benefits of including fish in our diets, the array of fish species available in Virginia, and presentations and demonstrations about shopping for, transporting and storing, and handling and preparing fish at home.
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Week 1 - Know Your Virginia Seafood
- History, important species, and the economic role of seafood in Virginia
- Consumer preferences - what people are looking for when buying seafood
- Why eat fish? (Part I) - discuss the health benefits of seafood and the latest American Dietary Guidelines
Week 2 - Fish: Healthy, Lean Protein
- Why eat fish? (Part II) - health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet
- Buying fresh seafood - the do's and don'ts of purchasing seafood from grocery stores and markets
- Tools and methods for filleting fish such as catfish and bluegills
Week 3 - Cooking and Handling Fish
- Cooking with fish (Part I) - Easy recipes for preparing meals with fish
- Handling fish and ensuring quality and food safety
Week 4 - Fish: The Delish Dish
- Cooking with fish (Part II) - Easy recipes for preparing meals with fish
- Know your seafood (interactive presentation) - attendees can test their knowledge during an interactive presentation with questions and discussion
This program is presented by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center, and the Virginia Marine Products Board.