Carolina Classics Catfish: Exclusive Source for Farm-Raised Channel Catfish

Carolina Classics Catfish Farm, located in the coastal plains of eastern North Carolina, has been growing catfish especially for Whole Foods Market for years.  Not only do they take great pride in their high-quality product, they also go the extra mile, working with Whole Foods Market to tailor their farming practices to meet our strict Quality Standards for Aquaculture.

Integration and Traceability One of the things making Carolina Classics a special operation is the “totally integrated” operation,  meaning they own the hatchery, farm, feed mill, and processing facility.  This full integration gives Carolina Classics complete control over all stages of production and allows them to meet our stringent standards for traceability, which require fish be traced back to the plant, farm, and hatchery where they were first raised.  In contrast, other processors in the industry buy fish from lots of farms with little or no control over farming practices.

Feeding the Fish By owning their own feed mill, Carolina Classics Catfish can produce feed with no land animal by-product or antibiotics.  Additionally, they go one step further by producing catfish feed primarily grain-based and very low in fishmeal. This is important to Whole Foods Market because it meets the WFM goal of reducing pressure on populations of wild fish and decreasing reliance on the reduction fisheries that catch feed for farmed fish.

Protecting the Environment Catfish at Carolina Classics Catfish Farm are grown in inland ponds with zero “water exchange.”  This method protects water quality by preventing wastewater from entering local water bodies.  Speaking of ponds, theirs are extra deep.  This means less evaporation and a decreased need to refill—both of which are big wins for water conservation.  Rob Mayo, President of Carolina Classics Catfish, actively engages in policy efforts to develop organic standards for aquaculture in the U.S. With this work, he uses his experience in environmental stewardship to help make aquaculture more environmentally responsible.

Great Tasting Catfish Carolina Classics Catfish never uses the synthetic algicides that conventional catfish farms often rely on to kill the blue-green algae that may cause an “off” flavor in the fish. Instead, they taste test every batch of fish harvested on the farm to ensure great taste.  If it doesn’t meet this standard, they wait to harvest the pond at another time.

Myth #1: Catfish tastes “muddy.”

The truth: If it does, it’s not good catfish.
Because of the way we raise and harvest our fish, you’ll never get that muddy flavor, which is caused by algae blooms in the water.

Myth #2: Catfish is a bottom feeder.

The truth: Farm-raised catfish eat off the top of the water.
In the wild, catfish are opportunistic feeders and they will eat anywhere in the water column. To maximize the feed costs of farm-raised catfish, we make floating feed so we ensure all of it is consumed and does not go to waste.

Our catfish are fed mostly grain with no antibiotics or added hormones. Additionally, synthetic herbicides are never used in the ponds. Our partner in North Carolina has been working with us for years to hone their process as the finest catfish farm in the U.S. to maintain high standards—theirs and ours—they own it all, the hatchery, the farm and the processing plant.

View an Exclusive Video from Carolina Classics Catfish Farm

Did you know?

Whole Foods Market Sea Scallops are dry-packed. Because we prohibit preservatives including phosphates, our sea scallops are “dry”— i.e. never soaked in chemicals.  In turn, you receive high quality scallops and do not pay extra for scallops treated to maintain moisture.

Whole Foods Market Sea Scallops are hand-packed. Hand stacking Sea Scallops is a great example of how we go the extra step.  By using this additional culling method, we ensure you receive a premium product.