October 28, 2026 — It’s lunchtime at Preston Elementary School, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Kids file in, get dollops of food on their segmented trays, and maybe grab a chocolate milk. But one option on today’s menu is special, served alongside grapes and broccoli.
“I got a catfish sandwich!” announces Ben Rochon, a second-grader. Between mouthfuls, he tells me how it is: “It’s yummy.”
He’s eating a catfish cake, also known by its nickname, the “catty patty.” Some kids like it with ketchup or mayo. Fifth-grader Teagan Donovan goes minimal.
“I like it by itself with no toppings, because it’s pretty good by itself,” she says. In Teagan’s case, “by itself” is literal: “I ignore the bun.”