Internationally recognized Oldways, the consumer advocacy group known for changing the way people eat, is expanding in a new direction by celebrating the old ways of eating and living here in the United States.

"We've looked all around the world focusing on healthy diets, now it's time to focus on great, authentic products that [are] made in America," said Sara Baer-Sinnott, executive vice president, Oldways. "We're also going to be working on a program of getting Americans cooking. If we are going to get healthy, we need to start cooking."

To kick off the new initiative, the Boston-based nonprofit announced a partnership with Kwik'pak Fisheries in Emmonak, a small village in Alaska's Yukon Delta.

For two decades, Oldways has explored the healthful old ways of other countries, notably in the Mediterranean region, Asia and Latin America. Now the organization says it's time to celebrate the wonderful old ways of America.

"While our traditions here in the U.S. may be younger than others, they have a profound influence on the way we eat and live," said Baer-Sinnott. "Our first collaboration is with a truly American product, Wild Alaskan Yukon River Salmon, harvested by the Yup'ik fishing families. This is a perfect old ways' product: nutritious, sustainable and delicious."

Wild Yukon River salmon packs a powerful nutritional punch. Yukon salmon are at least twice as high in omega-3 fatty acids -- and in some cases, even three or four times as high -- as any other fish in the USDA database, according to independent research. One 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of Yukon salmon contains up to 5.2 grams of omega-3s -- the equivalent of 10 average-potency fish oil capsules. For comparison, Alaskan sockeye has 2.7 grams and canned tuna only 0.3 grams. Consuming omega-3s has been linked to heart health, a strong immune system, healthy brain development, visual acuity and even mental health.

"Salmon from the Yukon are genetically programmed to store oil for their 2,000-mile trip to their up-river spawning grounds," explained Jack Schultheis, Kwik'pak's general manager. "These prized fish are caught at the entrance of the Yukon River while they are still vibrant and full of nourishing oils, and this results in Yukon River salmon's high omega-3 content and its extraordinary rich, buttery flavor."

The joint program will build awareness for the health benefits, taste and varieties of Yukon River salmon as well as tell the story of the Yup'ik Eskimos whose survival depends on these salmon. Community-owned Kwik'pak Fisheries was founded in 2002 to provide economic security to the local community. The program will include regional leadership education seminars and dinners, and in-store retail education events.

Harvested using sustainable methods, fresh Yukon River salmon is only available for a limited time each year; however, flash-frozen fish is available at retailers year-round.

Oldways said examples of other American treasures that may one day fall within the American Oldways program are potatoes, cranberries, blueberries, wild rice, maple syrup and farmstead cheese.