|
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Proud freshwater prawns will be harvested and sold at pondsides throughout the Commonwealth starting this weekend and continuing through early October.
“Our producers sell their prawns at their freshest – right out of the pond,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Nothing else is close to the taste of fresh Kentucky Proud freshwater prawns.”
The prawns are sold whole on the pond bank or as tails processed in certified facilities under strict health department and U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety standards. “Kentucky Proud freshwater prawns are fresh because they’re locally grown,” said Angela Caporelli, aquaculture coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. “They also are subject to tougher processing and environmental regulations than similar products from other countries. Kentucky Proud freshwater prawns are all natural, without any additives or chemicals.
“You may pay a little more for Kentucky Proud prawns because Kentucky farmers pay higher production costs to meet U.S. standards and use high-quality feeds. But you are getting the freshest prawns you can buy, raised to higher government standards than seafood products from any other country in the world.”
Some local restaurants and Kroger supermarkets will offer Kentucky Proud freshwater prawns while supplies last, Caporelli said.
To preserve freshness and product quality, buyers should remember to bring their own coolers and ice to the pond-side sales.A schedule of harvests is available by going to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Web site, www.kyagr.com, and clicking on Aquaculture on the pull-down menu. For more information, call the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at (502) 564-4983.
--30--
|
