What is “True Blue?”

Only a small number of restaurants in Maryland reliably make their crab cakes from local Maryland crabmeat and the state does not require restaurants to identify the specific source of the meat. It’s time to stand behind Maryland crab cakes and crab meat and proudly support this local luxury. True Blue, a promotion initiative from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), can help you to find out which restaurants and retail stores are serving this local delicacy.

In looking at the menu, customers who see the “True Blue” logo know they are eating Maryland crab meat, which supports the local watermen and women. For years it has been an open secret that many “Maryland crab cakes” may be made Maryland-style, but not necessarily with Maryland, or even American, crab meat. In Maryland, the crab meat is tested to ensure quality, unlike other crab meat from overseas.

The ‘True Blue’ program allows restaurants and retail stores serving Maryland blue crab products to use a special logo in marketing or advertising the product. Once an establishment is signed up they receive a ‘True Blue’ logo to signify to their patrons that they are a True Blue member. Participation is promoted through social media and the MarylandsBest.net website that gets nearly 100,000 visits a month.

Make sure you know, it’s True Blue! Afterall, “Crabcakes and football – that’s what
Maryland does!”

Know an establishment serving Maryland crabmeat that’s not on the list? How can you help them sign up? Contact us for more information.

Click here to Sign Up for True Blue

Support Local!

Find a True Blue Restaurant near you!