GFC

One of the most scenic locations in Alaska, Kachemak Bay, is also the home of the Kachemak Bay Oyster Coop.   

Tucked away on the south side of the bay, it is a low impact, year round, industry that is less then an hour's boat ride from Homer.    Up until now the farmers coop has been relatively quiet, but that changed last year beginning with their grand opening on the "mainland". We get the latest from Sean Crosby, Business Manager of the Kachemak Bay Oyster Coop.

We're going to start where we left off in March of 2009, so if you're not quite up to speed, check out our interview with Marie Bader (Board Chair) of the Kachemak Shellfish Mariculture Association here.     Since then, the Kachemak Shellfish Mariculture Association debuted its new facility in Homer, Alaska last summer.  The KSMA members (13 farmers) showed off their new building where they distribute products, valued at more than $300,000 per year. Producers sold their first oysters at the facility in June 2009 and that was just the beginning of their presence on the Homer Spit.

The farmers, their oysters and their coop have taken some major forward steps this year to assure that access to their product and industry are increased exponentially.   It should not go without saying that their efforts will pay dividends to Alaska's entire shellfish industry.  

This facility (right) was dedicated last summer was designed to enable more efficient farm operations and facilitate industry expansion to hold, ship and retail their shellfish.  Along with shellfish holding and distribution, the facility came with retail space.  The doors are now open (yes, now) as the coop is utilizing retail space for sales of their oysters, as well as branded Katchemak Bay Oysters clothing and gear.    

Over the winter, the cooperative took another leap by recruiting Sean Crosby, as its new Business Manager.   Sean's experience and expertise in seafood processing and inspection solidifies the cooperatives efforts to provide consistently high quality shellfish in a year round established business.  

The infrastructure of the handling facility with a wet storage (sea water) system, allows the coop to be right at the steps of the consumer and commercial markets.  For those unfamiliar with Alaska, this puts them on the road system making them accessible for the first time for their customers and making distribution and shipments more affordable.  

In 2009 and 2010, much of their market focus will be direct to consumer at their Homer facility.  It's an ideal location with hundred's of thousands of people visiting the spit each summer which will also include cruise ship traffic - Summer 2010.       An added bonus to the coop's facility this year is the announcement of the co-located ticket office for the Kachemak Voyager, an 83 foot catamaran that will be serving the south side of Kachemak Bay beginning Summer 2010.  

Sean encourages those in or around the area to stop in to say hello.  Those visiting should plan on making a point to visit and learn more about south-central's shellfish farmers and their oysters.    Orders can be placed for friends and relatives and are shipped normally in 5-dozen increments to destinations throughout the US.     The on-line store will be enhanced with gear items, but in the meantime - for those not visiting Homer in the near future - orders for oysters can be placed here.

Sean is optimistic about their future.  Investments in the right infrastructure is strong to support the enhanced oyster production farmer anticipate beginning in Summer 2010.  

While the focus is on building their direct to market business, the Coop is looking to establish exclusivity with Alaska restaurants who may benefit from the year round supply.     The Coop is anxious to work with these type restaurants and professional caterers to provide the added value of the story of the uniquely farmed and harvested Kachemak Bay Oysters.   

Most aficionado's speak highly of the taste of these oysters and Sean points out an especially flattering write up they received this year from Rowan Jacobsen, Author:  A Geography of Oysters: The Connoisseur’s Guide to Oyster Eating in North America.

"These Alaska beauties, grown in floating lantern nets surrounded by glaciers and whales on the tip of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, having a bright, clean, briny taste of cucumber and nori. The shells are beautiful swirls of white, black, pink, and purple. "

~ Rowan Jacobsen 

Sean Crosby

Business Manager

Kachemak Shellfish Grower's Co-op
(1-866-978-3762)
907-235-1935
907-299-1932 Cell

3851 Homer Spit Road   
Homer, Alaska 99603

Open: M-F 9:00-4:00,  Sat-Sun 12-4