Brunswick Sardines: Canadian Delicacy?

Brunswick Sardines are a product of Canada. The company was founded by brothers Lewis and Patrick Connors over 125 years ago in a small Canadian fishing village, where they began fishing in the waters off the coast of New Brunswick, Canada. Today, Brunswick is the leading brand of sardines in Canada, and their products are sold in most major grocery stores in the country. The company has expanded internationally and now operates in over 50 countries, but its commitment to quality remains the same. All Brunswick products must meet high standards before they can carry the Brunswick name, ensuring that consumers receive nutritious and delicious sardines.

Brunswick Sardines: Nutrition and Quality

Brunswick Sardines are a product of Canada, with a brand story that began in a small Canadian fishing village over 125 years ago. The company has a long-standing commitment to quality and nutrition, with a focus on providing wholesome, healthy, and delicious food to families worldwide.

Nutrition

Brunswick Sardines are an excellent source of:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These essential fatty acids are crucial for maintaining overall health and have been linked to a reduced risk of major diseases.
• Calcium: Sardines are an excellent source of calcium, especially for lactose-intolerant individuals, and play a vital role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
• Iron: The iron content in Brunswick Sardines helps build red blood cells, improves concentration, prevents anemia, and lowers the risk of colds and infections.
• Potassium: Potassium helps regulate water balance, neuromuscular activity, and promotes cellular growth.
• Protein: Sardines provide 15-17 grams of protein per can, which is almost half of the daily requirement. Protein is essential for building and repairing body tissues and antibodies.
• Vitamin B-12: This vitamin is necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, as well as building red blood cells.
• Riboflavin: Riboflavin is essential for growth and plays a role in metabolism.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is crucial for normal growth and development, and the absorption of calcium and phosphorous.

Quality

Brunswick Sardines are known for their quality and are the leading brand of sardines in Canada. Here are some key aspects that contribute to their quality:

• Wild-Caught: Brunswick Sardines are wild-caught from the pristine waters of Canada, the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea, and the Swedish coast of the North Atlantic.
• Sustainability: The company prioritizes sustainability and ensures its suppliers actively support global policies and initiatives for long-term resource sustainability.
• Strict Quality Control: Brunswick Sardines undergo rigorous quality control measures and must pass strict standards before earning the Brunswick label.
• Intensive Supplier Assessment: Brunswick conducts intensive supplier and product assessments to ensure that only manufacturing facilities meeting or exceeding their standards are used.
• Food Safety: They operate under internationally recognized Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety principles and adhere to Canadian and U.S. food safety regulations.
• Traceability: Brunswick sardines are traceable back to their fishing vessel and location, ensuring a transparent supply chain.

Brunswick Seafood: History

Brunswick Seafood is a Canadian company with a history spanning over 125 years. It was founded by brothers Lewis and Patrick Connors, who began fishing the waters off Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada, in a small, open boat named "Hummingbird". The company was incorporated in 1893 and has since become a leading brand of sardines in Canada and around the world.

In the early days, the Connors brothers would fish for sardine-sized herring that appeared in the Bay of Fundy each summer. They soon began canning their catch, using equipment brought over from Eastport, USA. They formed a joint-stock company, "Connors Bros., Limited", and expanded their operations with machine-made cans, larger warehouses, and a growing fishing fleet.

Brunswick's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a leading brand of canned seafood in over 50-60 countries. The company is known for its nutritious and delicious products, including sardines, tuna, and salmon. Brunswick's sardines are sourced from the pristine waters of Canada, the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea, and the Swedish coast of the North Atlantic. The company prioritizes sustainability and works with suppliers who support global policies and management initiatives for long-term sustainability.

In the 1950s, Brunswick provided food aid to the West Indies after a natural disaster, and their sardines became a staple in the region. Today, Brunswick continues to be a family business at heart, providing high-quality, nutritious seafood to families worldwide.

Brunswick Sardines: Sustainability

Brunswick Sardines are sourced from the pristine waters of Canada, the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea, and the Swedish coast of the North Atlantic area. The seasonal fishing of these sardines happens between June and October each year.

Brunswick Foods recognises the importance of resource sustainability for future generations and ensures that its suppliers actively support global policies and management initiatives that ensure the long-term sustainability of supply. The company is committed to effecting change to preserve aquatic resources for generations to come and is a leader in implementing policies that promote the sustainable management of seafood species.

The two primary methods of harvesting Brunswick sardines are purse seine and weir fishing. Purse seine fishing involves locating schools of herring and encircling them with a large net that has floats on top and weights and rings at the bottom. A smaller boat then pulls one end of the net around the school and reconnects it to the main fishing vessel. As the net is pulled aboard, the fish are pumped into refrigerated seawater for transport to the processing facility.

Weir fishing, adapted from the Native American Indians in the 16th century, involves placing sets of stationary poles and netting near the shore in tidal areas. This directs schools of herring into confined areas, acting as a trap. Once the fish are confined, fishing vessels equipped with seine nets bring them to the surface, and a vacuum is used to transfer them to a carrier vessel for transport.

Brunswick's sustainability approach is science-based, and the company works closely with third-party experts to assess its fisheries and ensure they are managed sustainably. The company also funds scientific research to continuously assess and improve its approach.

Brunswick is the first company in the industry to implement a corporate initiative to lead in ensuring the sustainable management of canned seafood species. The company's parent is also a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), a global partnership among scientists, the tuna industry, and environmental non-governmental organisations. The ISSF's mission is to undertake science-based initiatives for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna stocks, reducing bycatch, and promoting ecosystem health.

Brunswick Sardines: Health Benefits

Brunswick Sardines are a nutritious food packed with health benefits. They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, improved brain development and nervous system development, and lower chances of behavioural problems. They are also an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and iron, which can help improve nerve function and bone health. Additionally, Brunswick Sardines are gluten-free, low in calories, and require no refrigeration, making them a convenient and healthy snack or meal option.

Heart Health

The omega-3 fatty acids found in Brunswick Sardines have been shown to offer important heart-protecting benefits. A Harvard study found that consuming just one to two servings of sardines per week can reduce the chances of heart disease by more than one-third. Additionally, the omega-3s in sardines can help reduce total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as decrease the risk of blood clots, which can lead to a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke.

Brain and Nervous System Development

The omega-3 fatty acids in Brunswick Sardines are essential for the healthy development of the fetus's brain and nervous system. Consuming sardines during pregnancy can provide important support for the unborn child's cerebral cortex and retina development.

Bone Health

Brunswick Sardines are packed with calcium and vitamin D, which are critical for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. The sardines' bones themselves are also an excellent source of calcium, providing about a third of the amount needed by the average person in each serving. Vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium, and sardines contain even more vitamin D than calcium. Additionally, sardines contain phosphorous, which neutralizes acids that could harm bones.

Nerve Function

Brunswick Sardines are a good source of vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining healthy nerve function. Up to 40% of older adults may be deficient in vitamin B12, which can lead to poor sensory nerve function and peripheral nerve problems. A single serving of Brunswick Sardines provides over three times the amount of B12 most people need, helping to maintain mobility and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

Convenience and Accessibility

Brunswick Sardines are gluten-free and do not require refrigeration, making them a convenient and accessible snack or meal option. They are also a good source of protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium, providing more than 20% of the daily value for these nutrients. They are also a good source of iron, containing more than 10% of the daily value.

Brunswick Sardines: Recipes

Brunswick Sardines are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, from snacks to gourmet meals. Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:

Sardines on Toast

This recipe is simple yet delicious. Start by mashing two cans of Brunswick Sardines in Springwater (no added salt) and combine them with ¼ red onion (finely sliced), 1-2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, and cracked pepper to taste. Stir everything together, and spread the mixture on two slices of toasted sourdough bread. For an extra touch of flavour, butter your bread before adding the sardine mixture.

Rocket Pesto with Sardines on Toast

For a more sophisticated take on sardines on toast, try this rocket pesto recipe. To make the pesto, blend together 50g of baby rocket leaves, 50g of basil leaves, 20g of parsley, 50g of walnuts, two cloves of garlic, a pinch of salt, and enough olive oil to reach your desired consistency. Toast some diagonal slices of French stick, then top with ricotta and the rocket pesto. Finally, add a tin of Brunswick Sardines in Water (no added salt) to complete this tasty treat.

Sardine Linguini with Sardine Salsa Verde

This recipe is perfect for those who want a heartier meal. Start by crushing two cloves of garlic and finely chopping a birdseye chilli. Sauté these in a pan with extra virgin olive oil. Add ½ cup of dry white wine, sea salt, and cracked pepper to taste. Cook your linguini according to the packet instructions. In a separate pan, heat a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and add one tin of Brunswick sardines in olive oil, breaking them up with a spoon. Add your cooked linguini to the pan and toss to combine. For the salsa verde, simply blend together one cup of pipis or vongole, two baby calamari tubes (cleaned and diced), extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper to taste. Serve your linguini with a generous spoonful of the salsa verde on top.

Sardine Croquettes with Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

These sardine croquettes are perfect as an appetizer or a snack. To make the croquettes, boil and mash three medium potatoes (380g). In a bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, one tin of Brunswick Sardines in Water (no added salt), 25g of finely chopped parsley, ½ brown onion (finely chopped), ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and one lightly whisked egg. Form the mixture into small balls or croquettes, then coat them with breadcrumbs. Shallow fry the croquettes until golden brown. For the yoghurt dipping sauce, combine one tablespoon of finely chopped parsley, one clove of minced garlic, two teaspoons of capers, and 1/3 cup of plain yoghurt.

Roast Vegetable & Sardine Stuffed Capsicums

This recipe is a flavourful and healthy option for a weeknight dinner. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Finely dice ½ zucchini, ½ fennel bulb, one small red onion, one yellow or orange capsicum, and one small eggplant. Toss the diced vegetables with one small sweet potato (cut into thin wedges), two crushed cloves of garlic, 1 cup of mixed herbs (parsley, mint, coriander, and basil), a generous glug of olive oil, and 1 ½ tablespoons of white wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Roast the vegetables for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, mash two sardines in tomato sauce or olive oil. When the vegetables are done, remove them from the oven and reduce the temperature to 160°C. Stuff the roasted vegetables into capsicums, adding the mashed sardines and ½ cup of cooked quinoa. Place the stuffed capsicums in a baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

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