ANNAPOLIS, MD – In an effort to promote local seafood, the Maryland Department of Agriculture launched the Maryland’s Best Seafood, Eat Food pass, announced by Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks on August 15, 2024. This innovative initiative, developed in partnership with digital platform Bandwango, encourages residents and visitors to indulge in the state’s diverse seafood offerings through a new mobile app.
Secretary Atticks highlighted the variety of seafood available in Maryland, including perennial favorites like blue crabs and expanding options such as perch, farm-raised oysters, and wild Chesapeake blue catfish. “I invite Maryland residents and visitors to download the app and start eating your way through the state,” he stated.
The web-based app allows users to explore and check into various participating restaurants and seafood events, accumulating points that can be redeemed for prizes. These prizes range from a Seafood, Eat Food cutlery set and water bottles to t-shirts emblazoned with “Shuck Yeah, I ate Maryland Seafood.”
Stephanie Pazzaglia, Chair of the Maryland Seafood Marketing Commission, emphasized the dual benefits of the program: “Not only are you enjoying delicious seafood from Maryland’s waterways, you are also supporting local jobs and the economy by ensuring you’re eating local,” she said.
The program also features special offers at some restaurants, enhancing the appeal for users to participate and support local watermen while enjoying the freshest seafood around.
For more details on the Maryland’s Best Seafood, Eat Food pass and to view a list of participating restaurants, visit MarylandsBest.net or contact Maryland’s Best Seafood Marketing Director Matthew Scales at matthew.scales1@maryland.gov.
