The future of sustainable food is slimy, sticky and growing beneath the surface of the Salish Sea.

At least, thatB次元官网网址檚 what a Sidney-based company believes. Launched in 2019, Cascadia Seaweed has decided that along with growing and supplying Island-raised seaweed ingredients for a wide range of manufacturers, it will produce, brand and sell its own packaged seaweed food products.

B次元官网网址淭he best use of seaweed is as human food,B次元官网网址� said CEO Mike Williamson. B次元官网网址淎s society looks for more sources of plant-based food B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 a demand, and seaweed can fill that.B次元官网网址�

Cascadia Seaweed grows sugar kelp at aquatic farms in Barkley Sound and has plans to expand. The company has partnered with Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Ltd. and has agreements with two First Nation communities in that area B次元官网网址� the Huu-ay-aht and Uchucklesaht First Nations.

In January, Cascadia won the Ocean Products category at the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards.

The passionate group of entrepreneurs noted marine-grown food meets at the intersection of sustainability and profit. As a regenerative crop, seaweed sequesters carbon and offers nutrients and habitats for ocean life.

RELATED:

B次元官网网址淎s it grows it improves the planet,B次元官网网址� Williamson said.

Creating their own market-ready product will give the company more control with its long-term goal of evolving North American minds B次元官网网址� and palettes B次元官网网址� for seaweed consumption.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e tasted it at every stage. From raw, right out of the ocean, right to our prototypes,B次元官网网址� Williamson said, adding the companyB次元官网网址檚 seaweed food items will be minimally processed. Current product ideas include smoothie cubes, burgers and jerky-type snacks.

B次元官网网址淲e want to do breakfast, lunch, supper, snacks B次元官网网址� on the go and at home,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e have an aggressive plan starting with some of the local Victoria and Vancouver grocery stores and expanding across British Columbia, down the I5 corridor and into California.B次元官网网址�

Cascadia Seaweed said more information will come in September, when more food products and plans are finalized.

-with files from Wolfgang Depner

RELATED:

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: nina.grossman@blackpress.ca. Follow us on Like us on and follow us on