The Maryland Department of Agriculture has granted $1.9 million to three major food banks to purchase wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish fillets, enabling the distribution of about 283,000 pounds of the protein-rich fish to individuals facing hunger across the state.
The funding, sourced from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service cooperative agreement, targets the Maryland Food Bank with $1,384,803, the Capital Area Food Bank with $499,693 and the Western Maryland Food Bank with $53,617. Distribution runs from December 2025 through December 2026, integrating the fillets into existing pantry and meal programs.
The effort addresses food insecurity while tackling the blue catfish’s status as an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Native to the Mississippi River basin, the blue catfish was introduced to East Coast waters in the 1970s for sport fishing. It has since proliferated, preying on native species like blue crabs, menhaden and striped bass, which disrupts the bay’s ecosystem. Annual harvests exceed 3 million pounds in Maryland waters alone, according to state fisheries data, making the fish a sustainable harvest option.
“This initiative will help feed our neighbors in need, support seafood processors and watermen, and help remove this non-native but tasty species from the Chesapeake and its tributaries,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “We are thrilled to once again partner with USDA on this initiative as an important tool in addressing hunger and supporting our rural maritime communities.”
Food bank leaders highlighted the program’s dual benefits. The fillets offer a lean, omega-3-packed protein source — each 3-ounce serving provides 15 grams of protein and 100 calories — appealing to families seeking nutritious options amid rising grocery costs. In 2024, Maryland food banks served more than 1.2 million people, with demand up 20% from pre-pandemic levels due to inflation and supply chain pressures.
“Blue catfish is a win-win for the Maryland Food Bank—we are supporting local businesses and helping to combat an invasive species in the Bay, while also providing a nutritious source of protein to neighbors facing food insecurity,” said Meg Kimmel, president and CEO of the Maryland Food Bank. “We are excited to continue our strong partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.”
The Capital Area Food Bank, serving the Washington metro area including parts of Maryland, will channel its allocation to urban distribution sites. “We’re grateful for our enduring partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This investment, especially now, helps us provide a locally-sourced, nourishing protein in high demand to our Maryland neighbors in need,” said Radha Muthiah, president and CEO of the organization.
In western Maryland, the Western Maryland Food Bank will focus on rural counties like Allegany and Garrett, where access to fresh proteins can be limited by transportation challenges. “The Western Maryland Food Bank is grateful to be included in this partnership,” said Amy Moyer, executive director. “We appreciate the Maryland Department of Agriculture bringing a greatly needed protein to the food insecure in Allegany and Garrett Counties. It is great to work together for Marylanders.”
Processing involves licensed watermen harvesting the fish from bay tributaries using commercial gear such as hoop nets and trotlines. Fillets are then cleaned, flash-frozen and packaged at state-approved facilities in areas like Dorchester and Somerset counties, ensuring food safety standards under U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The program builds on similar USDA-backed initiatives since 2019, which have distributed over 1 million pounds of invasive species proteins, including lionfish from Gulf waters.
Maryland’s approach aligns with the Chesapeake Bay Program’s 2025 nutrient reduction goals, where controlling invasives aids water quality by curbing overpopulation that exacerbates algae blooms. The blue catfish, reaching lengths over 4 feet and weights up to 100 pounds, matures quickly and reproduces prolifically, with females producing up to 30,000 eggs annually. Harvest incentives like this one encourage targeted removal without impacting native channel catfish populations.
Economically, the grants sustain small-scale processors facing volatile seafood markets. Maryland’s commercial fishing sector, valued at $80 million yearly, relies on such supports to offset fuel costs and regulatory compliance. Watermen must adhere to size limits — no fish under 22 inches — and seasonal quotas to balance ecological needs.
Food banks integrate the fillets into diverse menus, from ready-to-cook portions for emergency boxes to bulk supplies for soup kitchens. Recipes promoted by the Maryland Food Bank include simple preparations like grilled fillets with herbs or catfish tacos, emphasizing versatility for low-income households. Nutritional outreach accompanies distributions, educating recipients on incorporating seafood into balanced diets.
This round marks the third year of the catfish-specific program, following $1.5 million in 2024 that reached 200,000 pounds. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service administers the grants under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, part of broader farm bill provisions aimed at strengthening supply chains. Maryland’s application emphasized the state’s 15% food insecurity rate, per 2024 Feeding America data, highest in suburban and rural zones.
The Department of Agriculture coordinates logistics, including quality inspections and equitable allocation based on each bank’s service footprint. The Maryland Food Bank, founded in 1981, operates 10 warehouses statewide; the Capital Area Food Bank traces to 1975 with a focus on child nutrition; and the Western Maryland entity, established in 2009, targets Appalachian communities.
For inquiries, contact Assistant Secretary of Marketing, Animal Industries and Consumer Services Cassie Shirk at Cassie.Shirk@Maryland.gov.
The initiative reflects ongoing federal-state collaborations in food systems resilience. As climate variability affects bay fisheries — with warmer waters accelerating invasive spread — such programs adapt by linking environmental management to social welfare. In Maryland, where 600,000 residents qualify for SNAP benefits, these efforts bridge gaps in protein access, fostering long-term health outcomes without straining budgets.
