More than 50 restaurants have signed onto the Maryland’s “True Blue” certification program and marketing campaign. Launched this spring by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the “True Blue” certification program allows restaurants serving DNR-verified Maryland blue crab products to use a special logo in marketing or advertising the product.
“True Blue” wasn't so much designed to convert restaurant owners and diners to Maryland crab meat as it was to help diners who want Maryland crab meat find restaurants that serve it. “We’re not saying that imported crab meat can’t be delicious,” said DNR Fisheries Marketing Director Steve Vilnit when the program was announced. “We just happen to believe that fresh Maryland crabs are better.”