We had another amazing year at Heartland Catfish Company! Our accomplishments would not have been possible without our incredible team, business partners, brokers and customers. Keep reading as we reflect on the milestones we reached in 2025.
New Product: Hand-Breaded Style Fillets
Heartland Catfish introduced two exciting new products this year: the Hand-Breaded Style Portion Fillets and the Hand-Breaded Style 3–5 oz Fillets. These fillets deliver the mild, sweet flavor Heartland Catfish is known for, paired with a southern-style breading that tastes just like it came from your own kitchen. Each fillet is deboned, with the belly flap removed, and designed to fry to crispy perfection in seven to eight minutes at 350°F, making them ideal for restaurants and kitchens that want authentic flavor with consistent results.
We’ve enjoyed hearing positive feedback about the new Hand-Breaded Style Fillets from our customers over the course of the year and look forward to continuing to expand the product’s reach.
SENA and NRA Trade Show Attendance
The Heartland Catfish team attended the Seafood Expo of North America (SENA) and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) trade shows in the spring, which was an exciting start to the year. SENA is North America’s largest seafood exposition, where thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend to network and learn from others in the seafood industry. NRA is the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere, showcasing innovations in food equipment, technology and business solutions.
Attending these shows and others throughout the year offered a great way to meet with our customers in person, make new connections and learn from other leaders in the seafood, foodservice and retail industries. Thanks to all who stopped by our booths and met with our team this year!
America’s Best Restaurants: Shivers Creek Fish House
Shivers Creek Fish House in Crystal Springs, Miss., was featured by America’s Best Restaurants. They serve up award-winning U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, proudly sourced from Heartland Catfish Company. Click here to watch the full video feature about Shivers Creek Fish House.
Our team feels great pride any time one of our customers is recognized for their culinary achievements. Their success confirms the confidence we have in our U.S. Farm-Raised catfish products.
Mississippi Seafood Labeling Law
Mississippi’s Seafood Labeling Law (House Bill 602) took effect on July 1, 2025, under the direction of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR). The law requires all seafood, including shrimp and crawfish, sold in Mississippi—whether in grocery stores, seafood markets, restaurants, or food trucks—to be clearly labeled as either imported or domestic. The change marks an important move toward more transparency within the seafood industry, which can help build consumer confidence when they make a purchase at the grocery store or place an order at a restaurant.
The U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry, including our team at Heartland Catfish, has long been an advocate for Country-of-Origin Labeling, and we are confident the new law will encourage consumers to further support the local catfish industry.
Brokers Conference Builds Connections
We had a fantastic time hosting our Brokers Conference. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with our brokers and provide an in-depth look at our facility and the process behind the premium Heartland U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish they represent.
30 of our brokers from across the United States attended the conference. We spent time educating about the details of our products and the U.S. Farm-Raised catfish industry, thanks to a presentation from the respected Catfish Institute. The learning continued beyond the typical conference setting as attendees had the opportunity to tour our ponds and facility. During the course of the conference, our team answered any questions our brokers posed to better assist them in selling our catfish. The best part? We enjoyed Heartland Catfish meals together while getting to know each other better. We are already looking forward to the next time we can host everyone again!
Featured on ABC News: 50 States in 50 Weeks
To wrap up the year, we were featured on ABC News’s 50 States in 50 Weeks, representing the great state of Mississippi! This series celebrates America as we approach the nation’s 250th birthday next year, and what better way to honor that milestone than by showcasing an American classic—U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. We’re grateful for the opportunity to represent our industry and our Mississippi roots on a national stage. Click here to watch the feature story.
Looking Forward to Our 30th Anniversary
As we approach 2026, we are excited to celebrate our 30th anniversary! This milestone represents three decades of dedication, hard work and commitment to delivering the highest quality U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish to our customers across the country. We look forward to another successful year at Heartland Catfish Company—stay tuned for more details about how we’ll be celebrating our anniversary in the new year.
