BOSTON — The Catfish Institute’s (TCI) marketing and promotional work for the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry continues at the 2011 International Boston Seafood Show. This year, TCI is focusing its communication efforts on four primary topics: all-American quality, the industry’s inspection standards, government food safety regulations and culinary versatility.
The annual trade show, held March 20–22 at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center, brings together a global audience of approximately 16,000 seafood buyers and more than 800 exhibitors – the largest event of its kind.
The TCI exhibit features the 2011 Catfish Farmers of the Year: Travis Wilson of Alabama and Jeff Baxter of Arkansas, along with the president of Catfish Farmers of Mississippi, Shorty Jones, and Captain Catfish, the U.S. Catfish industry’s official mascot. Chef Bob Hendrickson and Chef Ray Stopczynski are also on hand preparing dishes of Cajun-seasoned U.S. Catfish with Pineapple Mango Compound Butter and a spicy U.S. Catfish with Remoulade Compound Butter for sampling by show attendees.
Alabama Farmer of the Year Travis Wilson farms 450 acres of catfish, as well as tilapia, hydroponic lettuce and cattle, with his father Butch Wilson and brother-in-law Willard Powe in Marion Junction, Ala. Travis is a deacon at Elkdale Baptist Church and is involved in various other church ministries.
Arkansas Farmer of the Year Jeff Baxter of Watson, Ark., began farming in 1988 and opened his fingerling hatchery in 1993. He produced the first hybrid catfish in 2004, and has worked to develop the first “in-pond” fish sizing grader and the industry’s first “see-saw” hatching system. Jeff has served on the boards of directors for Catfish Farmers of Arkansas, Catfish Farmers of America and TCI, among others.
Mississippi Farmer Shorty Jones of Glen Allen, Miss., currently serves as president of the Catfish Farmers of Mississippi and is actively involved in catfish hatchery and production farms, as well as the catfish equipment and supply business.
“The International Boston Seafood Show provides an excellent venue for TCI to educate seafood buyers about the many benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish,” said Roger Barlow, TCI president. “Having catfish farmers at the show allows interaction with seafood brokers, buyers and key industry professionals, answering one-on-one questions on behalf of the U.S. Catfish industry. We are also able to increase awareness of the versatility and healthfulness of our product, showcasing two different recipes for attendees to sample.”
U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish are raised in environmentally controlled, clay-based ponds, filled with fresh water pumped from underground wells and filtered by alluvial aquifers, and has very low impact on the environment due to its inland locations. The National Audubon Society, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Environmental Defense Fund all recommend U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish as a sound environmental seafood choice.
At 0.3 grams per 3-ounce serving, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish contains a very respectable amount of Omega-3 fatty acids – which is as much, or more, than other popular seafoods such as canned tuna, shrimp, cod, clams, crabs, scallops, lobster, grouper, mahi mahi, red snapper and orange roughy. And since U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is a sustainable, farmed seafood product, its price point is much more stable – and thus budget-friendly – when compared to its wild-caught competitors.
TCI, based in Jackson, Miss., was formed in 1986 to raise consumer awareness of the positive qualities of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. TCI promotes the health, versatility, safety and flavor benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish to home and restaurant chefs across the nation.
For more information, visit UScatfish.com.
Source: The Catfish Institute
