River Jerky's Sustainability

When you buy River Jerky treats for your pet, you are also helping improve our natural environment. Our River Jerky family is committed to cleaning up our Great Lakes and providing a safe and accessible treat for our furry friends.

Silver Carp is an invasive species of fish prominent in the Midwest and Southern waterways. This fish is so overpopulated and resilient that it has killed off native species and threatens the ecosystem of our Great Lakes. 

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, an estimate of 20 million -50 million pounds of Silver Carp could be harvested from the Illinois River each year, and leave hundreds of millions more in waterways from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast[link].

Luckily for us, Silver Carp is a very nutritious and tasty source of energy for human and animal consumption. The Silver Carp fish has heart-healthy omega-3s and very low levels of mercury. Dogs and cats love to eat our River Jerky treats, which provide a complete source of highly digestible protein with all ten essential amino acids. 

BYPRODUCT SYNERGY

Part of living and working sustainably, includes reducing our waste. That's why River Jerky participates in byproduct synergies (BPS). BPS is a process that turns one company's waste into valuable raw materials for another, which helps us reduce our waste and improve the environment.

Our parent company, Kencor Ethnic Foods, is responsible for processing the fresh fish and selling larger dried pieces to restaurants and individual customers. River Jerky receives smaller cuts of fish as a byproduct from Kencor, and any additional leftover waste is reduced down to liquid fertilizer to be used for farming in nearby land.