Temperatures are dropping. The days are growing noticeably shorter. And if you live somewhere with deciduous trees, you might notice the leaves clinging desperately to their branches in the shifting winds. It’s still fall, but as we turn the calendar page to December, many of us in the Lower 48 get the sense that winter has arrived.
But in Alaska, winter’s been on the mind since early fall. Deep winter brings months of bone-chilling temperatures, icy roads and darkened storefronts, with many businesses shuttered for the season. In anticipation of this, households and communities have been preparing for deep winter for some time now, stocking up on basics and preserving harvests.
When Alaskans prepare for this season, being resourceful and prepared is essential for making it through to spring. In more temperate regions of the continent, this level of preparedness may not be “essential,” but it can certainly enhance the winter experience. Having a full pantry means you can stay nourished and cozy, no matter how low the mercury drops.
To get you started on some of your own winter prep, check out the WAC blog for a list of our seafood-centric pantry essentials. This list of ingredients, spices, and herbs can help you pull together easy meals with any species of seafood, without an extra trip to the grocery store. I encourage you to add or subtract from this list, honoring your culinary preferences.
And if you’re in the spirit of gifting, preparedness can be a wonderful source of inspiration. How can you help prepare and treat your friends and family to a nourished and cozy winter? Consider sharing the bounty of the North by giving the gift of wild, sustainably harvested seafood from Alaska. It’s not just a box of fish: each portion of fish is the manifestation of a season of hard work — from the fisherpeople, the processors, the distributors and all of the other behind-the-scenes folks in between. It’s a slice of Alaska, delivered to their doorstep. Not to mention, it’s some of the best seafood they’ll have ever had.
To give the gift of WAC seafood, sign in to your account and visit the Gifting page. It’s easy — just pick the box you think your loved one will like, add on any extra special goodies, and choose a week when you’d like the box shipped. Then consider your gift given and cross that task off your winter prep to-do list! As always, reach out to our Member Experience team if you have any questions along the way.
Live Wild,
Monica
Pictured above: A fishing vessel on the water, dwarfed by a frigid, snow-covered mountain in the backdrop. The sort of landscape that makes you consider whether you really need to make a run to the grocery store, or if you can stay in and cook something you already have in your kitchen.
