Packard Foundation supports SAGE’s gender equality push

Efforts to increase gender equality in the seafood industry received a boost with a two-year, USD 350,000 (EUR 326,000) grant to the Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.-based nonprofit Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE).

Founded in 2020, the organization promotes gender equality in the global seafood sector with a goal of building a more resilient industry, thriving communities, and abundant resources for future generations.

The award from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation will support SAGE’s work toward these goals and to develop the organization’s key programs - the Gender Equality Dialogues (GED), The Bloom networking community, and The Conch podcast.

“The [Packard] Foundation recently rearticulated its vision for a more just and equitable world where both people and nature flourish. We have been an ardent supporter of SAGE since its beginning and this new grant is not only an acknowledgement of SAGE’s incredible progress and impact, but an investment towards achieving our new vision.” Packard Foundation Program Officer Sarah Hogan said in a press release.

SAGE launched the GED in August with seafood industry leaders to co-create a roadmap toward a more equitable and inclusive seafood industry.  Fortune Fish and Gourmet, Seattle Fish Co., and Acme Smoked Fish, along with the industry collaboration Sea Pact, are supporting the dialogues.

The Conch podcast, now in its fourth year, features interviews with guests from the seafood sector discussing gender equality and a broader range of issues in the industry. The Bloom is a networking community for women and genderqueer people where members can share their knowledge, insights, and stories from their career journeys in seafood.

“SAGE is extremely thankful to the Packard Foundation for this grant to bolster our efforts at building the seafood sector of the future, one that values and benefits people of all genders found at all levels of production, trade, and conservation,” SAGE Founder Julie Kuchepatov said.

Photo courtesy of SAGE