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In 1938, our great-grandfather, Will Graham, started a seafood company in Poquoson, Virginia, purchasing crabs, fish, and clams directly from watermen operating in the lower Chesapeake Bay.  By 1942, the demands for handpicked crabmeat excited our grandfather, John Graham, resulting in construction of the company’s first processing facility.  It was at this plant that he began to process, package and market crabmeat for wholesale distribution.  In 1958, the expansion of the company required larger facilities and the company moved to Hampton, Virginia.  With that move and expansion, our grandfather brought into the business his brother-in-law, Dixie Rollins, thus the name Graham and Rollins, Inc.  In 1973, our grandfather died unexpectedly and with failing health, Dixie Rollins was unable to run the company.  Our father, John Graham Jr., then took over the operation.  He managed and directed Graham and Rollins until his daughter and sons assumed the responsibility.  Today our current operations utilize three separate plants, two crab processing plants and a plant for production of value added products using crabmeat as the primary ingredient. 

The Chesapeake Bay is our major source of crabs.  Daily, the processing plant at our waterfront facility receives by boat or truck freshly caught crabs from local watermen.  The crabs are purchased by weight and pressure steam cooked at 250 F in vats containing approximately 1000 pounds of crabs.  If needed, we have other suppliers within Virginia and other states along the East Coast, permitting a year around supply.  All cooked crabs are refrigerated overnight and individually handpicked the next day by skilled and specially trained personnel.  The crabmeat is graded by the pickers as it is extracted and delivered to the packing room where it is screened for quality and grading and packaged in various containers for distribution.  Fresh, pasturized and frozen product are offered.

Our value added plant is used primarily for production of crabcakes, crab balls and crab dip.  The crabmeat used for these products goes through a black light room for inspection and bone content check before delivery to the mixing and processing room.  Required ingredients are mixed with crabmeat according to specifications developed from tested recipes for each of our products.  All products are vacuum packaged and cryogenically frozen in various containers depending upon the purchase request.

Since our company is located in close proximity to many source of seafood being harvested in the Chesapeake Bay, North Carolina sounds and the Atlantic Ocean, in 1989 we opened a retail market offering a complete line of seafood including what we manufacture.  For the past twenty years in dealing with many suppliers, we have gained invaluable experience in identify and purchasing quality seafood and more importantly, developed relationships with our suppliers knowing that our quality standards will be maintained.

This year, 2010, we are again expanding the mission of Graham and Rollins by offering our products online.  With the company’s seafood history, and reputation, and dedication from employees and management, we strive to deliver quality products to the customer, we welcome and appreciate your business.

John B. Graham III

Casey N. Graham

Terri Graham Wallace