In partnership with Rosedale Ice headquartered in Baltimore, Hoopers Island Oysters is offering Saturday morning oyster pick-ups at two new pop-up stores beginning May 16.
We planned to roll out a new direct-to-consumer sales effort in the fall, but when the Coronavirus hit, we decided to speed up that initiative, said Rick Fitzhugh, managing partner Hoopers Island Oyster Co. on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. As a result, we’re now selling our oysters at local farmers markets and produce stores and have instituted on-line ordering where oysters are delivered at Saturday-morning parking lot pick-ups in five locations elsewhere in Maryland. It’s been extremely successful, and we plan to continue these activities year-round in addition to wholesale sales for restaurants and hotels when that market reopens.
By ordering in advance online, customers can purchase farm-raised oysters by the 12, 25, 50 and 100-count bag or pints already shucked and ready for cooking. Pick-up is on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Rosedale Ice’s Baltimore location at 2700 Annapolis Road (I-295 Annapolis Rd. exit south of Westport; drive to loading dock). The second location is Rosedale Ice Frederick – also known as the “Beer Cave”- located at 300 N East Street in Downtown Frederick.
Hoopers Island’s farm-raised oysters can be enjoyed year-round on the half shell or cooked in a variety of ways including fried, roasted, grilled with toppings or in soups and stews. Favorite recipes for Oysters Rockefeller, oyster and shrimp jambalaya, fried oyster and arugula salad and other dishes are offered online by Hooper’s Island.
I believe that as people are introduced to oysters and the many ways they can be eaten and prepared, the more overall sales our industry will see in the future,” said Fitzhugh. “Much of our marketing activity is focused on developing and sharing new oyster recipes on social media to create interest and educate consumers that oysters are a delicious and nutritious source of seafood protein.
From graduation to weddings, fresh oysters are a great choice for May and June celebrations convened in person and virtually. The oysters are sustainably raised on floating cages in the waters off Hoopers Island — the Chesapeake Bay’s seafood capital – and harvested two days prior to pick-up in Baltimore and Frederick to ensure freshness.
For more information, visit www.hoopersislando.wpengine.com/shop.