At the peak of what was forecast to be an “epic” crawfish season, COVID-19 has shut down channels of distribution threatening the livelihood of Louisiana crawfish farmers and the future of the industry.
Louisiana crawfish needs your help! (All photos credit: George Graham)
With closure to dine-in service, it is reported that farmers can only sell 10 to 15 percent of what they catch. And with the elimination of Mexican seasonal workers, peeling operations have been curtailed. If consumers don’t support the $300 million per year industry now, it may not be able to recover.
Here’s how you can help:
- Purchase boiled crawfish from your favorite Order/Pick-up boiling station, restaurant, or market location. Many have drive-thru windows for your convenience. Check out this long list compiled by Candy Domengeaux, the Crawfish Ambassador with links, phone numbers and addresses.
- Download the app and order from a WAITR affiliated restaurant and have a 5-pound order (or more) delivered to your home.
- Find a crawfish farmer, seafood market, or supermarket that sells live crawfish by the sack and boil your own. You can also order online by searching for “live crawfish.”
- Buy more crawfish than you need now and freeze the tails to enjoy year-round. From my friends at LSU Ag Center, here’s a tutorial on peeling and freezing.
Here at Acadiana Table, we believe in Faith, Family, and Food, the holy trinity of our Cajun and Creole culinary culture. During this challenging time, we all need to support the many local businesses that make our food culture unique and help preserve and promote our rich heritage.
YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE: If you like this Cajun cooking story and Cajun recipe then accept my personal invitation to subscribe by entering your email at the bottom or top right of this page. It’s quick and painless. You will receive an email alert and be the first to see when new Cajun cooking stories and Cajun recipes are added. Thanks, George.
I would happily order some frozen tails for delivery to Florida if possible.
Hey Trish- Go online and do a Google search or go to Cajungrocer.com. There are lots of folks who ship frozen tails nationwide. All the best.
We have found frozen crawfish meat from Louisiana in the local Walmart (Citrus County, FL).
When we were stationed in Florida I too saw crawfish, but it was always a product of China. It says Distributed by Baton Rouge or Breaux Bridge etc., but it is NOT from the USA.
Tori – You are correct and thanks for being vigilant. Asian crawfish hits the US market cleverly disguised as a Louisiana product; I’ve even seen it branded at Boudreaux’s. But upon careful inspection, you will always see the country of origin. Beware of imitations and only buy a true Louisiana product.
It has been an ongoing problem but no more. They just passed a law saying its origins have to be labeled.
John- You are correct: In June 2019, Louisiana passed House Bill No. 335 that would require Louisiana restaurants to label menus with the origins of shrimp and crawfish. That is a great first step for consumers here in our state. But it is still important for home cooks to inspect the packaging of crawfish and shrimp when buying in the supermarket. While the country of origin must be labled, there is much deception in brand name and packaging graphics. Also, some consumers can mistake the wholesale distributor’s address as the country of origin. Be wise and buy the best quality by carefully reading the packaging labels. All the best.
Praying for crawfish businesses and farmers.
Do you know of anyone who can ship crawfish to the Midwest?
Hendrica- Yes. You can order from many online sources (do a Google search) or from Cajungrocer.com. Thanks.
Here’s a drive-through place in my neck of the woods – Covington, Louisiana:
https://www.facebook.com/BayouBoilNGeauxCovington/
I’m their best customer!
What can us out-of-state people do to support them?
Thanks Kelly. You can order online. Just do a Google search and you will find lots of Louisiana sources who will package and ship frozen tail meat, whole boiled crawfish, and even live crawfish. And of course you can visit Cajungrocer.com, a one-stop shopping source for most all Cajun foods.
Do you know if anyone is shipping out of state? I would definitely buy frozen tail meat.
Thank you!
Will buying crawfish for mail order help?
Adele- Yes, please search out an online source and order today. Thanks.
Great comment. Any shutdown in consumption works its way back through the supply chain. The effects on processors and restaurants are not appreciated by many.
Thanks Randy.
We support your message. We have always and ONLY bought LA crawfish, even more expensive. It’s hypocritical to claim Louisiana first and buy cheap crawfish from elsewhere. And hypocritical to abhor hard-working immigrants and not accept how they support the Louisiana crawfish farmers.
Does anyone ship or truck to Mexico?
Cindy- I’m not sure if any suppliers ship outside the US. Perhaps one of our readers will have some direction on this.
Goood morning from Harare, George! Hope your day is good. It’s a shame that I am so far from you guys, I would love to order some crawfish.