In the summer of 1999, Chef Tom French was invited Russia Far East to explore solutions to a food and ecological disaster. Each fishing season millions of pounds of salmon are discarded on the beach due to a lack of infrastructure such as processing facilities. 

Even though the roe is harvested for cash, this valuable source of high protein food lies abandoned. Through a series of community meals a co-op program was created which led to the first social venture program of its type in this part of the world. By creating a grading and certification program, and networking existing facilities, Chef Tom and a   consortium of business partners created an initiative to import the wild Russian salmon, considered some of the finest in the world, to Seattle. 

The product is smoked using traditional high quality Pacific Northwest standards and offered to consumers and chefs across the US.  A generous portion of sales is dedicated to support community kitchens for abandoned children's shelters in Russia which will enable them to earn income, learn a skill, and provide meals to orphanages, shelters and hospitals.

Although the project has struggled over the years due to an uncertain political and economic climate it still serves as a powerful model for social entrepreneurial ventures and offers the possibility of real change through food.

In 2001 the project was the subject of a national PBS special. The show titled Livelihood/Planet work featured innovative projects that create a better world where we live, work and play.