(LOUISIANA STATEWIDE – February 25, 2026) – In Louisiana, the strawberry is more than just a sweet treat. It is a fruit that helped shape an entire region of the state. Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) premieres the independent documentary THE LOUISIANA STRAWBERRY on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00pm on LPB stations statewide. 

From independent filmmaker and Hammond native Paul Catalanotto, THE LOUISIANA STRAWBERRY explores the history of the crop, the farmers who sustain it, and the cultural traditions that have grown alongside it. From family farms to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, the program captures how agriculture, community, and heritage intersect in Tangipahoa Parish and beyond.  

Through the voices of past and present growers, the documentary highlights both the pride and the pressures of modern farming. Their stories reveal how knowledge, resilience, and tradition have allowed the strawberry industry to endure across generations, shaping not only a local economy but a shared cultural identity.

“The documentary is first and foremost a story about the farmers who work tirelessly to grow the fruit and bring it from their fields to our tables,” says Catalanotto. “The strawberry is more than a crop; it is part of our cultural identity, as essential to who we are as crawfish.”

Developed over the past year in close collaboration with LPB, Catalanotto worked alongside LPB Director of Programming Jason Viso, who served as a creative consultant in shaping the film’s narrative and storytelling approach.

“LPB strives to bring audiences films that both entertain and educate,” says Viso. “Through the experiences of these farmers, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the work, history, and legacy behind a crop that has helped define an entire region of Louisiana.” 

Celebrating fifty years as Louisiana’s storyteller, LPB continues to work with independent filmmakers to share stories rooted in the state’s people and traditions. 

“As a Louisiana filmmaker, premiering on LPB is a significant milestone,” adds Catalanotto. “It gives the film a platform to move from a regional audience to statewide attention, sharing the story with communities across Louisiana.”

For more information, contact Colleen Spillane, Public Information Officer, Louisiana Public Broadcasting at (225)-767-4453 or 1-800-272-8161 ext. 4453 or by email at cspillane@lpb.org.

About Louisiana Public Broadcasting
Since 1975, Louisiana Public Broadcasting has been the public television network for the state of Louisiana with stations in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. LPB is also affiliated with WLAE-TV in New Orleans. In addition to its award-winning documentaries about the history and people of Louisiana, LPB is dedicated to helping children throughout the state develop their literacy, math and science skills through its numerous educational outreach programs.