As native Mississippians, Cedric and Joan Anderson are proud to be listed among the millions of small business owners who are "Genuine Mississippi". Our hand-selected spices are carefully blended to create unique seasonings and breading that deliver restaurants-quality products —cooked, fried or grilled in the comfort of your own home. C.J.'s Southern Seasonings are created, packaged and sold here in many private-owned super markets, restaurants and specialty stores. Since 2011, our retail footprints have expanded to almost 175 locations. Our products are also offered via our website at www.cjssouthernseasonings.com, and we are proud to announce that we recently were approved as Amazon Sellers. It is with Great Pride that we are blessed enough to be products of choice for so many Secret Sharers (our customers). When people ask us what is in our seasonings that delivers such a Bold taste? Our response is "The Secret Really is in the Bag" or Bottle.

What Makes Our Products Great?

Cedric and Joan Anderson are both South Natchez High School graduates. Marrying after completing high school, Cedric joined the Air Force, where he successfully served 20 years with honor before retiring in San Antonio, Texas in 2004. After hosting fish fries and catering events while living in San Antonio, we decided to bring our catfish to the masses in a mobile concession trailer in 2002. Word got out about C.J.’s Southern Fried Catfish and hungry customers were driving across town to taste the fish and seafood. The couple was also invited to set up during special events at Lackland and Randolph Air Force bases. “People were saying it was the best fish they had ever had”. In 2009, Cedric and Joan relocated to MS and decided to embark upon their dreams of having their seasoning packaged for retail. After presenting their fish fry to Angie Duckworth and Gary Humphrey of Mayders and Tayders (a local produce and specialty store) located in Seminary MS, C.J.’s Southern Seasonings found its first retail outlet. In a matter of weeks, our retail footprints grew to over 50 outlets. With the help of our Secret Sharers (Our customers), we continue to find new outlets to call home for our products, one specialty store, supermarket, independent retailer or Amazon purchaser at a time.

What makes us most proud of producing Genuine MS products?

Even before we were introduced to Genuine MS, we pride ourselves in having "Mississippi's Own" printed on every one of our labels. It is very important that we bring attention to the opportunity to Live the American Dream here in MS. Our labels are printed at Taylor Made Labels in Pearl, MS. Our Fish Fry is packaged at Blendco Inc in Hattiesburg and our Mesquite Rub is packaged at Reed's Distribution in Pearl MS. Our website was created and maintained by Andre Hammett and LeKeisha Hammett of Hammett Enterprises, LLC. It is with Great Pride that we are now certified Genuine MS Small Business Owners.

How does buying Genuine MS products make a difference here in Mississippi?

We are true advocates for Shop Local. We frequent Mom and Pop diners for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We shop the specialty stores for unique gifts and local grocery stores for our food needs. It is important to shop local, by doing so it helps the community and state to thrive. It keeps resources in our state to help repair roads, build schools, educate future small business owners and gives Small businesses a sense of pride knowing that they contribute to the well-being of our state. I love MS, and it was absolutely important that we return to our roots here to build our Business. We are grateful that our friends, family and community support us in our efforts.

Why should people seek out and buy Genuine MS products?

People should seek out Genuine MS products always because it is not just that particular product that you are helping to remain vital, you are helping the packers, shippers, producers, stockers, printers, baggers, label makers, marketing designers, grocery store owners, truck drivers, Mom's, Dad's, students who all at one point or another have had a part in creating, selling, packaging, delivering, or cooking our products. Each time we pick up a delivery of our products, we thank the warehouse workers and and anyone else we come in contact with because they all make it possible. This program will shine a light on the thousands of people and businesses that makes us Genuine here in MS.