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Seafood Industry Research Fund
A 501(c)3 organization established in 1964 |
 Dear Seafood Industry Professional,
Welcome to the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) newsletter! Here you can find quarterly updates on SIRF's activities, current research and funding information. Through your generous support, SIRF provides the seafood community with scientific studies that further business and improve the bottom line. Read in this newsletter how SIRF is linking industry and academia with articles about Oregon State University's surimi expert Dr. Jae Park, the currently open Jack Kilgore Living Tribute Fund and a recap of the annual SIRF fundraising Hockey Game.
We could not fund exciting research without your support. Thank you for your continued contributions. To view past SIRF sponsored research, please visit www.sirfonline.org and contact us with any questions you may have admin@sirfonline.org.
Sincerely,
Russ Mentzer, Chairman
Seafood Industry Research Fund
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OSU's Dr. Jae Park:
Living the Surimi Dream
"They call me the Surimi Man," Dr. Jae Park says. And after thirty years of surimi research, authoring two books on the subject and running Oregon State University's Surimi School, Dr. Park has more than earned the title.
Throughout his career, Dr. Park has centered his research on projects that address food industry needs. Much like SIRF's focus, Dr. Park conducts research that aims at providing real-world industry improvements, a sensibility acquired from five years of working in the seafood business.
Recently, Dr. Park applied his surimi savvy to SIRF funded research, investigating surimi's fat blocking potential with fried food. Dr. Park believes a fat blocking solution from surimi protein will eventually be able to block fat uptake in fried food by 45-50%. He is excited about the research's business applications for food companies looking to provide healthier versions of old fried favorites. In the lab, Dr. Park links industry and science to create better products and an enhanced surimi consumer experience. "I love the versatility and variety of the surimi protein," says Dr. Park. "The many ingredients make for exciting discoveries and tastes." Dr. Park believes that science and industry work well together when investigating common problems and areas of curiosity. As part of his belief in action, Dr. Park oversees the Surimi Forum and Surimi School, instructional courses for surimi technicians that also foster business networking. Because business and academics can at times speak different languages, Dr. Park has spent a career becoming fluent in both. 
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On Monday March 11th, seafood professionals took a break from the Boston Seafood Show and took to the ice at the Harvard rink for the annual NFI vs. Seafax hockey fundraiser. Players from Preferred Freezer, Endeavor Seafood, Seafax, Slade Gorton's, Sysco, Grotta Bay Seafood and others laced up their skates for an evening of good-spirited competition honoring Jack Kilgore, President of Rich Products Corporation, Consumer Brand Division, and long-time NFI supporter.
Whereas last year's contest ended with a lopsided 9-3 in Seafax's favor, 2013's match finished in a dead heat at 4-4. Fine play was seen by goal scorers, Bob Reid (Slade Gorton), Ryan Martin (Preferred Freezer), Chris Della Grotta (Grotta Bay Seafood), Bill Picard, Jim Bonnvie (Seafax) and Todd Clark (Endeavor Seafood). From both goalie boxes, top-notch defense was on display with NFI's Craig Pollard and Seafax's Don Ganley laying everything on the line, keeping the score low and excitement high.
Notable performances came from Seafax's Jim Bonnvie who scored two goals despite having knee surgery only three weeks prior and John Connelly, referee and NFI President, who skated very ably and seems to have made a full recovery from knee surgery as well. In addition, an indefatigable Mike Gorton (Slade Gorton) rarely left the ice, giving the game a swift, unrelenting pace.
Though ending in a tie, the Annual NFI vs. Seafax's hockey fundraiser was an undisputed success with a level of play and support that went a long way in benefiting SIRF and the Jack Kilgore Living Tribute Fund.
Follow link for more pictures of the game.
For a colorful blow-by-blow analysis of the game by NFI team captain Mike Gorton (Slade Gorton) please follow the link.
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| Jack Kilgore Living Tribute Fund |
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Earlier this year, SIRF established a new living tribute fund in honor of Jack Kilgore of Rich Products. As a former NFI Chair and founding member of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership, Jack has been a supporter of NFI and friend of the seafood community for 32 years. The Jack Kilgore fund has received generous support since opening. Click here to view donors and follow the link to make donations. Almost There!
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| More About Donations |
SIRF's research and operating funds come entirely from generous donations made by individuals and corporations who support our mission of sponsoring scientific research of immediate and practical use by the seafood industry. Visit our websitefor details about open funds and information about making donations.
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The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) was established in 1964 and was originally named the Fisheries Scholarship Fund. It is a tax exempt, philanthropic, educational organization.
SIRF is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals and companies in and related to the seafood industry.
Click here to learn more about how the fund supports research of interest to the seafood industry.
We appreciate the opportunity to share information about SIRF, our research funds and projects and thank you for your support!
SIRF Board of Directors
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