Nourishing Waters: Supporting Salmon-Safe Certification
When we think about our food sources, it is important to remember that all food comes from the soil. The condition of the land determines the health of our waterways, and ultimately, the sea and air.
In the last century, the world’s salmon population has decreased by 90%. In addition to the drastic reduction in population, the remaining fish have reduced genetic diversity and rarely reach large sizes. This photo taken in Astoria, Oregon in the early 1900s reports the weight of the Chinook salmon on the left as 116 pounds and on the right as 121 pounds. Although these fish would be considered very large at the time, it was not uncommon for boats to bring in 60-70 lb individual salmon.
The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the last remaining wild populations of salmon in the continental United States. In addition to managing the fishing industry, efforts to restore and preserve habitat are the most crucial actions we can take. Healthy land breeds healthy waterways, and in this respect, salmon serve as the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ of our local ecosystem.
Here at Marlene’s, we clearly value our organic farms and farmers and the relationships we have nurtured over the years. However, we don’t always talk about other ways our choices can positively impact the environment. We’d like to introduce you to a non-profit accreditation program that we support: Salmon-Safe.
Salmon-Safe certification takes into account the following when assessing farms, vineyards, corporations, universities, parks, golf courses and urban developments:
-soil health
-irrigation efficiency
-stormwater management
-pesticide use/chemical run-off
-native biodiversity
-presence of streams and wetlands
-downstream impact
We continue to look for and support companies who produce foods and products with Salmon-Safe certification. Currently, we carry several companies producing beer, wine, produce and eggs with these credentials. We are always eager to carry more products that meet our high standards!
If you would like to help us support Salmon-Safe certification, the next time you’re shopping at Marlene’s please consider purchasing products from the following companies:
A to Z Wineworks
Abacela
Airlie Winery
Anne Amie Vineyards
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Elk Cove Vineyards
Full Circle Farm
Hedges Family Estate
Herb Pharm
Ladybug Farms
Naches Heights Vineyard
Ranger Free-Range
Chicken
Terra Blanca Winery &
Estate Vineyard
Wilcox Family Farms
For more information about Salmon-Safe, please visit salmonsafe.org






