Stories

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 The kelp producer who wants to get Americans eating seaweed

Marine farmer Suzie Flores also hopes the crop can revitalise the US's small fishing towns.

* Suzie Flores left a Manhattan career to farm sugar kelp off the Connecticut coast and has become a pioneer in promoting sustainable seaweed farming in the US.
* She harvests sugar kelp, a type of seaweed, from the Atlantic Ocean and sells it to high-end kitchens where chefs prize its versatility and sense of place.
* Flores created demand for her product by cold-calling farm-to-table restaurants and educating chefs about the unique characteristics of East Coast sugar kelp.
* The US imports over 90% of its seaweed, mostly from Asia, and North America produces only a small fraction of global supply. Infrastructure has not kept pace with growth in seaweed farming.
* Flores' experience reflects broader challenges in building demand for sustainable seafood products at scale.
* Sugar kelp absorbs nitrogen pollution, improves water quality, and provides habitat for marine life, making it an attractive crop for environmentally conscious consumers.
* Flores envisions a network of small family farms growing kelp, providing a new livelihood for fishermen and contributing to the local economy.
* She also teaches seaweed units in culinary programs at Yale University and local schools, aiming to educate the next generation about sustainable seafood options.