Oct 07, 2009
Governor Jindal Announces All Outback Steakhouses in State to Buy Louisiana Shrimp

- Announces Appointments to Louisiana Shrimp Task Force -

BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined the President and the CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Jim Funk and Bruce Attinger, joint venture partner of all 14 Outback Steakhouse Restaurants in Louisiana, to announce that each Outback Steakhouse in the state will now buy only Louisiana shrimp.

Governor Jindal said, “This news is an important victory in our fight to help Louisiana shrimpers.  Outback Steakhouse is officially a partner today with our Louisiana shrimp industry. Their commitment to buy only Louisiana seafood for all 14 of their stores in the state will help us promote the purchase and consumption of Louisiana shrimp here in the state and also send a signal to companies all across the nation. The message is simple – buy Louisiana shrimp. We are encouraging all other national restaurant chains, and especially those with locations in Louisiana, to join Outback Steakhouse in their commitment to buying fresh, delicious Louisiana shrimp.”

All 14 Outback Steakhouses in Louisiana purchased nearly 60 tons of shrimp in the last year alone. In 2008, Louisiana’s shrimp industry had an economic impact of approximately $1.3 billion, supported 14,384 jobs and generated $91.1 million and $83.4 million to state and federal revenues, respectively.

Bruce Attinger, joint venture partner of all Louisiana Outback Steakhouses said, “Given the current economic plight of the shrimp industry in Louisiana, I really felt like it was my duty as a restaurateur to assist as much as I could. My parent company was very receptive to my request that all Louisiana Outback Steakhouses serve Louisiana shrimp and we are proud to serve our patrons the best product in the world, caught right in our state’s waters.”

President and CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Jim Funk said, “This is a real victory for the Louisiana shrimp industry. The LRA has made it a priority to promote Louisiana seafood and request that all members, whenever possible, serve local seafood in their restaurants. I am thrilled that all Outback Steakhouses in Louisiana will serve Louisiana shrimp and once again ask that other LRA members follow this example. I continue to work with other national chains with locations in Louisiana, in hopes that they also follow suit. As a result of Louisiana restaurants and the state’s seafood industry working together, we make both industries strong, viable and prosperous.”

In August, Governor Jindal issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission requesting an investigation into possible of violations by foreign countries, adversely affecting Louisiana’s shrimping industry. Additionally, the Governor signed an Executive Order creating the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force to address factors affecting Louisiana’s shrimping industry along with creating strategies for increasing the economic vitality of the state’s shrimp industry. The Governor has also met with commercial shrimpers and elected officials regarding issues facing Louisiana’s shrimping industry.

Outback Steakhouse currently has 14 locations throughout the state, including Alexandria, two in Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Covington, Gonzales, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Marrero, Metairie, Shreveport, Slidell, and West Monroe.

The Governor also announced his appointments to the Louisiana Shrimp Task force at today’s press conference. The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force serves to address factors adversely affecting Louisiana’s shrimping industry, and form strategies for boosting the economic vitality of the Louisiana shrimp industry.

According to Executive Order No. BJ 2009 – 13, the board is comprised of the following:

• The Governor, or his designee;
• The Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or his designee;
• The Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or his designee;
• The Attorney General, or his designee;
• The Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or his designee;
• The Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, or his designee;
• The Secretary of the Department of Louisiana Economic Development, or his designee; and
• The Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, or his designee.
• The Governor may designate additional persons as ex-officio members as he deems necessary and prudent, especially persons representing the shrimp industry.

Daniel Babin, of Houma, was nominated by the Louisiana Shrimp Processor Advisory Panel to be considered as an additional ex-officio task force member. Babin will serve in that capacity, as allowed by executive order.

Cathy Breaux, of Baton Rouge, is the Deputy Director for Customized Workforce Services for the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Breaux will serve as the designee of the Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, as required by the executive order.

Dr. Paul Coreil, of Baton Rouge, is a vice-chancellor at Louisiana State University and the director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service at the LSU AgCenter. Coreil will serve as an additional ex-officio member designated by the Governor, as allowed by executive order.

Roy Crabtree, of St. Petersburg, FL, is the regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Region. Crabtree will serve as an additional ex-officio member designated by the Governor, as allowed by executive order.

Stacie Deblieux, of Baton Rouge, is an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Louisiana. Deblieux will serve as the designee of the Attorney General, as required by the executive order.

David Guilbeau, of Baton Rouge, is the Commercial Seafood Program Administrator for the Department of Health and Hospitals. Guilbeau will serve as the designee of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, as required by the executive order.

Clint Guidry, of Lafitte, was nominated by the Louisiana Shrimp Harvestor Advisory Panel to be considered as an additional ex-officio task force member. Guidry will serve in that capacity, as allowed by executive order.

Jody Montelaro, of New Orleans, serves as senior policy advisor in the Governor’s office for natural resources, environment, wildlife and fisheries, agriculture issues, and public safety and corrections issues. Montelaro will serve as the designee of the Governor, as required by the executive order.

Randy Pausina, of Covington, is the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Pausina will serve as will serve as the designee of the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, as required by the executive order.

Kelsey Short, of Baton Rouge, is the Director of Agriculture, Food and Wood Products for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. Short will serve as the designee for the Secretary of the Department of Louisiana Economic Development, as required by the executive order.

Ewell Smith, of Metairie, is the executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board. Smith will serve as an additional ex-officio member designated by the Governor, as allowed by executive order.

Mike Strain, of Covington, is the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry. Strain will serve as a member, as required by the executive order.

Kris Van Orsdel, of Baton Rouge, is the Infrastructure Policy Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Van Orsdel will serve as the designee of the Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, as required by the executive order.

Dr. Chuck Wilson, of Baton Rouge, is the executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant at Louisiana State University. Wilson will serve as an additional ex-officio member designated by the Governor, as allowed by executive order.

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