The FISH Project provided IMET-grown shrimp for the Franciscan Center’s Mother’s Day brunch

Shrimp grown at an Inner Harbor research center were on the menu for a Mother’s Day brunch at Baltimore’s Franciscan Center.

The shrimp, which were grown at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), were served as part of 200 meals Sunday at the Old Goucher center, which provides assistance to people who are economically disadvantaged.

This particular outreach was part of the FISH Project, which launched last year. Short for Feeding Individuals to Support Health, it’s a partnership between the United Way of Central Maryland, McCormick & Company and seafood supplier J.J. McDonnell.

“Change happens together,” Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Maryland. “Working with our partners in the FISH Project, we’re able to provide a special, nutritious meal to people in need — and mothers especially.”

It involves scientists from UMBC and UMCES conducting research on sustainable farming methods at IMET in the effort to provide access to healthy sources of protein. They use technology to provide healthy fish that are produced with no release of pollution. Then JJ McDonnell processed and distributed to local nonprofits such as the Franciscan Center. McCormick, in turn provides healthy recipes that are distributed along with the seafood.