23 February 2016

SAN FRANCISCO, CA:   To celebrate National Clam Chowder Day, The Salvation Army will serve clam chowder at seven feeding locations, serving elderly and disabled individuals, as well as low income individuals and those in alcohol and drug recovery.  Nearly 500 people in the Tenderloin, Mission, SoMa, Chinatown neighborhoods will receive chowder from The Salvation Army on Thursday, February 25.

This is part of a special partnership with Sea Watch International, which is providing 50,000 bowls of Clam Chowder to shelters and food pantries across the country, including Boston, Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, Orlando, Atlantic City and San Francisco.  

The origins of Clam Chowder in the United States can be traced back to the Native Americans of the Northeast. Archeologist have said that the American Indians had a veracious appetite for shellfish because they found evidence of piles of clam and oyster shells as high as ten feet tall in and around native villages. American Indians made what was described as a fish or clam stew but it was not recognized as chowder until the Europeans arrived and attached the word chowder to it, which was derived from the French, Cauldron meaning pot or a warming vessel. It is said that up and down every coast of every country in the world you can find traditional chowder, soup or stew celebrating the fisherman’s catch. Our European ancestry took quickly to fish chowder traditionally made with Cod because the New England states enjoyed a robust fishery during the Colonial days. Clam Chowder gained in popularity and is now one of the most popular pre-meal delicacies enjoyed in restaurants from coast to coast in these United States.

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About The Salvation Army:
Since 1883, The Salvation Army has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area, offering practical support, spiritual comfort and a critical safety net to people in need.  The Army has 16 facilities throughout San Francisco providing a myriad of services, including youth programs, meal delivery, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, transitional housing, and nutritional and housing support for seniors.  In addition, the Army also provides disaster relief services. For more information on Salvation Army activities in San Francisco and Central California, visit online at: sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org

About Sea Watch International, Ltd.
Sea Watch International is the nation’s largest harvest, processor and marketer of offshore clams. With 36 years of experience and the most powerful fleet in the industry, Sea Watch’s primary goal is to expand the awareness and value of the domestic clam resource. The Creative Clam Challenge is the perfect venue to showcase the nutritional value of these clams and the power of their versatility when put in the hands of uncompromised culinary minds.