A Trip to Matunuck
Last week we had the distinct pleasure of visiting one of our favorite local spots, the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Owner Perry Raso gave us a tour of the Oyster Farm on Potter Pond in East Matunuck. Perry’s passion and vision is clear when you talk to him about his business. He started digging littlenecks at 12 years old, now, he’s turned his dedication for sustainable farming into a thriving RI business.
Perry took us out on the water to show us the shellfish nursery and the process of cultivating oysters which to maturity can take anywhere from 2-3 seasons.
Below, Matunuck Oyster Farm employees sort oysters putting the market ready ones in bags for the restaurant and various other locations throughout the state and country that sell Matunuck oysters.
Oysters are continuously sorted by size and re-distributed for the best growing environment.
Our next stop on the tour was Potter Farm. In his commitment to farm to table, Perry took it one step further with his own vegetable farm in Matunuck, right around the corner from the Oyster Farm. The property was originally owned by Captain John Potter in the 18th century, where a vegetable farm was operated and used for trade. Today, they grow everything from herbs to salad greens, carrots, tomatoes, beets, cucumbers and so much more.
Perry’s commitment to responsible and organic growing techniques continues with the vegetable farm where they use green initiatives whenever possible. The vegetable farmers use non-chemical, responsible and organic growing techniques. All vegetables are grown directly from seeds.
In the greenhouse tomatoes grow to the ceiling. Those same tomatoes were in the salad we ordered at lunch later that day!
We finished off our tour the best way possible, with fresh Matunuck oysters. Perry described his oysters as “crisp, briny with a sweet finish.” Trust us when we say, they’re the best oysters we’ve had, anywhere. Perry is a passionate and inspiring entrepreneur, keeping jobs in RI and growing quality, affordable food with a commitment to quality, sustainability and our community. If you’re looking for a great place to visit when you’re in RI, Matunuck Oyster Bar is a must see!
