The Whole Animal

Today parts of plants and animals are often regarded as waste. With global population on the rise, food waste remains a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 8% of CO2 emissions originate from discarded food, highlighting the urgency to reevaluate our approach to food waste management, and minimizing our impact on the ecosystem and local environments. Through our relationship with a key partner in seafood we have been able to utilize the whole animal incorporating flavor, key compounds, and much more to ensure we are at zero waste when it comes to using salmon for an animal’s diet.

When we started Amica, our journey began with a commitment to developing our values.

For the better part of two years we crafted the company vision, approach to packaging, sourcing, and more. This has influenced our decision making to enhance our protocols, refine our formulations, and partner/collaborate with industry leaders and organizations to reduce our environmental impact. We are extremely dedicated in repurposing each part of the whole salmon supporting our mission to achieve use of the animal in its entirety with zero waste.

A key relationship led us to using The Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods, an organization focused on reef-net fishing in the Salish Sea. This partnership ensures we maintain complete transparency in origin, zero by catch, crucial for preservation of future salmon runs, and the unique off season practice of cultivating sugar kelp. These three initiatives of the Center led us to selecting them as our salmon and kelp source.

The alliance with The Salish Center underscores our commitment to sustainability, preservation and conservation to support salmon, and other critical species in the local ecosystem. Through reef net fishing, The Salish Center practices a selective harvest of salmonoid species, with zero impact on the environment and supporting the delicate ecosystem of the Salish Sea, including its resident Orcas.

We control every aspect of production which allows us to utilize the entire animal.

When we do, we are able to preserve nutrients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes supporting canines and felines dietary needs. By incorporating every part, including overlooked elements like heads and tails, organs, and bones, we have observed improved animal health and behavior. We know there is something to what we have done, and we love using what we can. This is why animals love our products. When we first developed the salmon-based products we wanted to prioritize use of the entire animal. In that way we honor the energy and effort invested all through the catch’s lifecycle, from its birth to preparation. Here is a glimpse into how we use the whole animal.

How we use the whole fish.

Heads & Tails

We utilize freeze-dried heads and tails, rich in niacin (Vitamin B3) and calcium from bones, as nutritious treats that support digestion, energy conversion, brain function, and play behavior.

Salmon Meat

As a lean protein source, salmon meat plays a crucial role in our products, ensuring balanced nutrition for our beloved animals. Also available at Erewhon, Lazy Acres, Fermentation Farm, and Pug & Hound Apothecary.

Carcass, Bones, Residual Meat, & Broth

We incorporate leftover carcass meat and broth into various recipes, enriching our products with essential nutrients and minerals. Our Salmon Furikake is an example to our whole-animal approach.

Salmon Skins

High in Omega-3 fatty acids, our freeze-dried salmon skins enhance skin and coat health for our animals, available at Erewhon locations across California.

At Amica, we deeply respect the animals that sustain us and remain committed to utilizing them in their entirety. We acknowledge the importance of seasonally harvesting and continue to explore new avenues of resourcefulness through a strong network of partners. We know your animals will love our products.