Dive Brief:
- Old Bay Seasoning, a brand that is nearly synonymous with Maryland crab cakes and the culture of the Chesapeake bay area, may leave the state.
- McCormick & Co., parent of Old Bay, is looking for a new headquarters large enough to consolidate several of its operations. The company is considering sites in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland.
- The rust-colored seasoning in the old-fashioned can has an extensive history in the Baltimore area. Local business-development officials say McCormick has not yet requested incentives to remain in the area.
Dive Insight:
This may be some of the saddest news imaginable for Baltimore's local food industry. It's as if Ghirardelli wanted to leave San Francisco or if Cheerwine departed North Carolina.
In fact, the idea of Maryland without Old Bay leaves us singing the saddest of sad songs. "Oh Baltimore, man it's hard, just to live, just to live."