Oriole Park at Camden Yards is now officially True Blue certified, ensuring that the iconic Baltimore stadium is serving authentic Maryland blue crab meat to fans this baseball season.
The announcement was made Thursday by Gov. Wes Moore, in partnership with Maryland’s Best, and Brick & Whistle Food Co., Oriole Park’s hospitality team.
The True Blue certification is part of an initiative to promote transparency and quality in the seafood industry. It guarantees that the crab meat being served is locally sourced from Maryland waters and verified through the Maryland Crabmeat Quality Assurance Program.
“The Maryland blue crab is the pride of our state, offering Marylanders and visitors a taste of what makes us great,” Moore said in a news release. “I want to thank our partners at the True Blue program and Camden Yards for investing in our watermen and chefs, preserving our shared heritage, and ensuring that all O’s fans have access to the best locally sourced crab products this season.”
The move supports Maryland’s commercial seafood industry, including local watermen and processors who depend on the continued demand for fresh, local crab.
“Maryland is known for its cuisine and sports. Orioles baseball and Maryland crab go hand in hand,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks in the release. “It’s essential for businesses to try and source as local as possible when they can, as we want to provide the flavor of Maryland to baseball fans from all over filling the ballpark this season.”
To celebrate the new certification, Brick & Whistle Food Co. has created a limited-edition crab cake, available exclusively at the Baltimore Seafood House stand near Section 5. Made with True Blue-certified crab meat, the dish will be sold at all Orioles home games while supplies last.
“We pride ourselves on making Oriole Park a place to experience the best that Maryland has to offer, from favorite local restaurants to the state’s bounty of fresh ingredients,” said Executive Chef Daniel Doyle, via a news release. “Great food starts with great product, and Maryland blue crab is the best in the world.”
As of now, 45 restaurants and retailers across Maryland and neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida are True Blue certified.
For more information about the True Blue program or to find certified locations, visit marylandsbest.maryland.gov.
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