Caption: Maine Coast Monkfish Stew is available at four locations in Brunswick and Harpswell. (GUENOLA LEFEUVRE/TEXTURED PORCELAIN PHOTO)

The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association recently launched Maine Coast Monkfish Stew to benefit its Fishermen Feeding Mainers program, which provides free seafood to schools, food banks and community groups throughout the state.

The stew is available for purchase at more than a dozen seafood markets and specialty stores, including Iris Eats in Harpswell and Morning Glory Natural Foods in Brunswick, and is being served at the Brunswick Diner and Frontier in Brunswick. It is also available online through Portland’s Harbor Fish Market, at harborfish.com. For a map of sales locations, go to mainecoastfishermen.org/monkfishstew.

The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association is a Brunswick-based nonprofit working to identify and foster ways to rebuild the fisheries of the Gulf of Maine and sustain Maine’s fishing communities for future generations.

The Maine Coast Monkfish Stew is made from fresh monkfish that is sustainably harvested by Maine fishermen. Monkfish is delicious but somewhat unfamiliar to many American consumers, making its domestic market unpredictable for Maine fishermen.

“The stew is a way for us to introduce consumers to a local and sustainably sourced seafood choice and to support Maine’s fishermen,” said Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.

The monkfish is not only locally harvested, it is also locally cut by Free Range Fish in Portland. Another Maine business, Hurricane’s Premium Soups & Chowders, of Greene, makes the stew, and the recipe includes Maine potatoes, carrots, cream and lobster stock. The stew is sold in 16- and 24-ounce frozen packages that can be reheated and served right from the bag.

“The stew is a delicious combination of local vegetables in a light, creamy base with just a touch of spice, creating a dynamic and complex flavor profile that even those who have never tried monkfish can enjoy,” said Phil Wilbur, of Hurricane’s Premium Soups & Chowders.

All proceeds from the stew will go toward the purchase of fresh fish from local fishermen that will then be donated to those facing food insecurity in Maine communities. Thus far, the Fishermen Feeding Mainers program has provided more than 400,000 meals.