By Felicia LaLomia for the northforker
But for many farmers, the stands and new delivery options aren’t enough, and the mass cutdown on businesses ordering from them will force them to re-evaluate in the future.
Peconic Gold Oysters has shifted to a delivery and farmstand-only approach, offering oysters by the dozen, pre-shucked oysters and other products, but it won’t be enough to cover a season that owner Matt Ketcham expected to grow sales.
“I made the major mistake of saving a lot of stuff until now to try to get new accounts — this is supposed to be my breakout year,” he said. “I have a lot of beautiful product, and I’m now desperate to just get them off the farm. Every day on my farm they’re gonna cost me more money.”
Cornell Oysters has also felt a major drop in sales.
“We actually had a really great beginning of the year and a really great week and then this week, zero,” Thomas said. “We called our wholesaler, and every single one of our New York accounts is closed.”
Although the uncertainty of how long this period could last is scary, Ketcham is happy knowing local people are willing to support his business.
“People are looking to support guys like me, local businessmen and farmers, maybe a little bit more. I’ve seen a little increase in farm stand sales, which I definitely appreciate,” he said. “I’ll be okay. I’m just really worried about my business.”