Introducing… Oysters for a Cause

Peconic Pearls are an exciting new brand of locally-grown oysters, with a twist.

Grown by the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative at the Shellfisher Preserve in Southold, the proceeds from the sale of Peconic Pearls will benefit Peconic Estuary projects through donations to the Peconic Land Trust; an organization aimed at conserving Long Island’s working farms, natural lands and heritage.  In fact, the two organizations work hand-in-hand.

Since 2006, the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative has been leasing the 14-acre Shellfisher Preserve, located on the Peconic Estuary, from the Peconic Land Trust, which acquired the property in 1996 through a donation from the Plock family.

“One of the big projects was fixing a barn that straddles the salt water creek on the property, which was funded by grant from the National Grid Foundation, the USDA and the Peconic Land Trust,” said Karen Rivara of the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative.  “Out of that project, came the concept of selling oysters with a premium attached and collecting those proceeds to benefit the estuary.”

A project committee comprised of representatives from the cooperative, the Peconic Land Trust, and the foundation will meet once yearly to determine which projects will be funded through the program. Projects supported may include education, research, resource enhancement and land preservation related to the Peconic Estuary.

Most of the oysters farmed by the cooperative are used for special events at local vineyards and at restaurants in New York City.

“There is so much good product here,” Rivara said. “I don’t think it’s necessary for us to compete with other growers, which is why we have been looking for other types of venues.”

One such venue is the historic Grand Central Oyster Bar, at Grand Central Station, in Manhattan. According to Rivara, executive chef Sandy Ingber has been instrumental in the success of Peconic Pearls.

Rivara and Ingber first met two years ago when he was visiting the hatchery in Southold.

“I had never seen a hatchery,” said Ingber. “I was very impressed with the whole set up and what she was doing. She explained her involvement with National Grid and the conservation of Peconic Bay. We struck up a friendship.”

“He [Ingber] worked with us early on, to help us pick a name for the product,” Rivara said. “He came up with the name, Peconic Pearls and he has been supportive of the program. When he sells Peconic Pearls, they have a premium attached and when you raise the price, they become harder to sell. He is making the commitment to do that and leading the charge.”

Rivara said that’s why, on Thursday, Ingber will be presented with the National Grid Foundation’s first-ever GLOBEE award, which, according to a press release, “is presented to  leaders who recognize that global changes begin with small local steps, blazing a path for others to follow.”

The Foundation aims to enhance the quality of life in areas where National Grid provides service by creating opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues, based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and communities.  Since its inception in December 1998, the foundation has provided more than $15 million in grants to hundreds of organizations.

“I’m honored,” Ingber said of the award. “I think I do a lot for sustainability and I certainly give a lot of new people in the business, and others, a place to showcase their oysters. We just try to put back a little bit of what we have gotten, which is what this is all about. She sells me oysters and part of the money is going into the conservation of the bay. It’s a good way to give back.”