I would like to welcome you to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 2022: National Catfish Month. I don’t know about you but Charlie and I don’t like Catfish. While David and my sister Debbie love Fried Catfish and would eat it all the time if they could. How about you. Do you like Catfish?
National Catfish Month – August 2022
National Catfish Month in August is a feast to be had for 31 days. Catfish is enjoyed all over the World for its white meat and the versatility that allows one to enjoy Catfish in many different forms. Because Catfish is a freshwater Fish and consumes a whole grain feed, Catfish makes for a nutritional meal too. Doctors recommend Catfish to patients suffering from heart diseases as eating Catfish at least once or twice reduces the risk of sudden Cardiac attack and death.
The month promotes not only the benefits of having Catfish but also promotes the Socio-economical advantages that the Catfish industry lends to the Country. American Catfish farmers take so much pride in their work that they call the American farmed Catfish ‘All-America Fish’ because it is 100% produced and raised in the States.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CATFISH MONTH
National Catfish Month is also known as National Farm-raised Catfish Month, which was first celebrated in 2013. Catfish is a beloved meal in America, so much that June 25th was announced as National Catfish Day in the 1980s by President Ronald Reagan. In either case, whether you choose to celebrate the holiday or the month, the goal of both celebratory occasions is to honor Catfish and the farmers/suppliers who work hard day and night to spread its goodness.
The Catfish Institute (TCI), first established in 2007, is a nonprofit organization that works to represent Catfish farmers and the work they do to contribute to America’s local and international economy. Catfish used to be a Southern staple and are now one of the largest aquaculture products. Most of the Catfish in America are farm-raised on family-owned farms in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. In honor of such aspects, each year, TCI awards a farmer the title of “Catfish of the Year” for their hard work.
Farmers grow their Catfish on a diet of fish grain pellets made of Corn and Soybeans. Both of which are also supplied by local American farmers. Once Catfish grow to a considerable size, they are taken and delivered to processing plants in Rural and Urban areas. Once the processing is finished, the final Catfish products are delivered to the local markets all over the Country.
The whole process, right from growth and production to processing, involves many economical and employment opportunities for people. Apart from all these benefits, Catfish also make healthy meals. Catfish are rich in protein, vitamin B12, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association also states that in order to prevent Coronary Heart Disease, people should have two servings of Catfish every week. Furthermore, feeding Catfish to children aged two and above will help in their growth and development.
NATIONAL CATFISH MONTH FAQS
August is National Catfish Month.
Catfish are generally easy to farm, provided the climate is warm. Catfish feed on whole grain Fish pellets. Catfish that are grown and raised in channels or inland tanks are considered safe to eat.
Catfish in America are mostly farmed in the Southern states like Mississippi and Arkansas. Did you know the Fish are kept in earthen ponds, which are filled with well Water.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CATFISH MONTH
- What’s a National Catfish Month celebration without having Catfish every week? Catfish tend to have a clean taste as compared to other Seafood items, and Catfish is also generally healthier. Take this month as the perfect chance to have Catfish at least twice a week to nourish your palate and health.
- One of the trademarks of Catfish is its versatility. There are so many flavors you can try Catfish with. Be it spicy or tangy or a mix of both. Catfish is eaten in many Countries of the world. You can try a new dish every other week all August long.
- hare the joys of Catfish by using #NationalCatfishMonth on your Social Media platforms. Promote the works of local farm-raised Catfish farmers which will help give America’s economy a further boost too.
5 FACTS ABOUT CATFISH FARMING
- Did you know America has 89,400 acres dedicated to Catfish farming?
- Scientifically, Farm-raised Catfish are more nutritionally consistent as opposed to Wild Catfish because the former has a fixed balanced diet and Water habitat.
- Catfish raised on a farm are much healthier because these Catfish are less likely to have heavy metals and other unhealthy components in them.
- For a Catfish to grow to its full potential, you need to provide Catfish with a spacious habitat, which means that the Pond should not be overstocked with other Fish or items.
- Mississippi holds the title of producing and supplying America with 55% of all Catfish stock.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL CATFISH MONTH
- Catfish is a winning dish in all aspects because Catfish is a healthy meal that provides the right set of minerals, vitamins, and fats to help with growth, development, and a healthy heart. Catfish generally has a clean taste, Catfish also goes great with a variety of flavors and cooking techniques.
- National Catfish Month and National Catfish Day honor all Catfish farmers in the Country. Raising Catfish is hard work, and producing tons of Catfish every year is even harder. Catfish farmers have to stick to strict standards in order to ensure that their Catfish harvest is healthy and tasty at all times.
- Being of sound health will allow us to have a bright future. Catfish benefits allow us healthier bodies, but at the same time, Catfish also significantly boosts our local and international economies. It’s a win
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
