Bi-Monthly Newsletter from ORP / February 2012
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Congratulations!
You are part of an elite group of restaurants successfully recycling oyster shell and directly helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay's oyster population!
Welcome to your first Shell Recycling Alliance (SRA) Bi-Monthly "Give 'Em Shell" Newsletter! ORP has created this newsletter to keep you informed on the program and provide insights and ideas on how you can maximize your participation in the program and your contribution of shell. You'll also be one of the first to know current news and trends for oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay.
News from Around the Bay:
Well into oyster season, the SRA is recycling more shells than ever before. Just last week, ORP had our largest Baltimore pickup with 74 bushels in 1 day. So, thank you for playing a huge role in Bay restoration by recycling your shell!
Did you know that as part of your membership with SRA, the Oyster Recovery Partnership publicizes your establishment on our website and in various marketing materials? We encourage our website and Facebook visitors to patronize your restaurant to show appreciation for your efforts.
The SRA team is out every week recycling all the shell we can collect! We appreciate your participation and are continuously looking for ways to improve the experience to better benefit your restaurants, patrons, and the community. Please let us know if you have ideas for making the program better by replying to this email with any comments or by emailing bgomes@oysterrecovery.org.
Housekeeping Note: Please ensure you only save shells in the recycling containers. Baby oysters can't grow on forks, cups, or plastic gloves! Pass this info on to your staff and shuckers please.
Your Friend in Need...Of Shell,
Bryan Gomes
Shell us what you think!
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Building Your Brand Through SRA
Maximize Your MembershipOne way to maximize your membership in the Shell Recycling Alliance is to offer an SRA Team Building to your entire staff. ORP staff are available to visit your restaurant to train your staff on the benefits of shell recycling, how to improve your program and how best to communicate to your patrons and build goodwill in your community. Presentations are approximately 30 minutes in length. Please contact Bryan Gomes at bgomes@oysterrecovery.org. This is a great opportunity to build team camaraderie and impress future customers. Join Ryleighs, Rusty Scupper, and Woodberry Kitchen who have already participated in the program, and bring this valuable tool to your staff. |
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Customer Care
Translate your shell recycling efforts into value for the customer! Customers appreciate when your restaurant gives back to the community and want to understand what they can do to help the cause.
- Encourage customers to eat oysters. Servers should inform patrons that oysters are beneficial to the environment and that for every oyster they consume at your restaurant approximately 20 baby oysters will be replanted into the Chesapeake Bay. (Approx. 10 on each half shell.) Thus, by ordering/consuming oysters, they are aiding the Shell Recycling Alliance and the Chesapeake Bay.
- Make SRA Collateral Accessible to Patrons. The SRA program has a variety of materials to educate your customer including: small table tents, window clings, hostess stand placards, children's activity pages, and tall rack cards.
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Are you a
"Shells Angel?"
Termed the "Shells Angels," a number of involved SRA member restaurants have not only recycled their shell, but have hosted fundraisers to help support ORP. This allows us to widely publicize your community efforts, and helps to offset our transportation and recycling costs. Want to become a Shells Angel? Contact Bryan Gomes on bgomes@oysterrecovery.org. A Shells Angel will donate at least 4 buckets of shell/week and will host an annual fundraiser to support oyster shell recycling efforts.
Newest Shells Angels
Hellas: On Friday, November 25, 2011, Hellas Restaurant in Millersville, MD put on "Black Pearl Friday" to benefit Oyster Recovery Partnership's Shell Recycling Alliance. In partnership with Flying Dog Brewery's (Frederick, MD) release of their new Oyster Stout, customers got to taste a new brew that incorporates a couple dozen oysters in every batch! ORP was also on hand sharing the story of the shell recycling program. Thanks, Mike and John.
The High Spot: On Thursday, February 9, 2012, one of our newest SRA members, The High Spot in Cambridge, MD put on a benefit dinner for the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Guests were served a delicious 5-course meal with Flying Dog beer pairings. Chef Patrick of The High Spot and Ben Wiser from Flying Dog spoke about the entrees and selected beer. Everyone in attendance had a great time and enjoyed the food, beer, and ambiance. Thank you, Patrick!
Charter Shells Angels
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Buy Local
It is a very exciting time for Maryland oysters! In addition to a wild fishery that provides over 100,000 bushels of oysters every year between October and March, there are thousands of acres being leased for aquaculture operations throughout the Bay. Already we have a few great varieties to choose from with Choptank Sweets, Chesapeake Golds, Snow Hills, Rappahonock River Oysters, and War Shore Oysters. The next few years promise to deliver additional brands that will highlight the history and tradition, as well as the subtle sweetness of our Chesapeake Bay oyster. |
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PEARLS OF WISDOM
With over 85% of oyster reefs depleted worldwide - oysters reefs are one of the world's most severly affected and threatened marine habitats.
Oysters are ecosystem engineers, helping waterways by eating algea, filtering out particulates and excess nutrients, and creating habitat for other organisms.
Eating 4 oysters a day gives you a complete daily supply of zinc, iron, magnesium, maganese, phosphorus, copper, and iodine. |
| YOUR IMPACT/MONTHLY RESULT
The Shell Recycling Alliance recycled 896 bushels of oyster shells this month alone! In November, December, and January we recycled 558, 380, and 440 bushels respectively. These amounts include all the SRA participating restaurants, wholesalers, caterers, and hotels that participate in the effort.
Get ready to exceed these numbers as we bring back the March SHELL Madness! Restaurants in each individual route/region will be competing against one another for collection of the most shells. The top two (2) restaurants in each region will win ORP gear (hats, T shirts) for some of their staff to wear!
Please remember that your individual effort (your restaurant, your waiter, your 1 plate of oysters) makes a HUGE impact in helping us plan oysters back into the Chesapeake Bay.This resource is CRITICAL to our restoration efforts because oysters need a hard surface to attach onto and grow. Simply by separating and recycling your shells, you make a difference to the health of the Bay! |
Consider sharing our video about
the Shell Recycling Alliance
on YouTube!
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Brought to you by:  Oyster Recovery Partnership 1805A Virginia Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
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News & Events
NEWS
SRA members often garner media attraction as part of our program. Here is a sample:
Boatyard Bar and Grill Tops In Seafood Promotion
January 24, 2012: "Boatyard Bar and Grill in Annapolis was among the top participating restaurants along with Woodberry Kitchen and Ryleigh's Oyster Bar in Baltimore, and Matchbox Restaurants in Washington, DC, according to a press release. Together they donated $5,626."
DNR, ORP, and MidAtlantic Restaurants Partner to Help Rebuild Oyster Population
January 23, 2012: Governor Martin O'Malley today announced the results of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2011 From the Bay, For the Bay Dine Out.
"The first annual From the Bay, For the Bay dine-out proved to be a huge success for everyone involved," said Governor O'Malley. "Not only did the event raise funds to help us rebuild our native oyster population, it showcased our terrific Maryland seafood and our ongoing efforts to restore the Bay."
Martha's Vineyard Patch - Our Shell Resource: Shell Recycling on Martha's Vineyard
January 20, 2012: Oyster Recovery Partnership's Executive Director, Stephan Abel, traveled to Martha's Vineyard to present about the successful shell recycling program ORP has established in the Chesapeake Bay region.
EVENTS
Come see ORP at one of our upcoming events:
Annual Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Spring Trade Expo:
March 5-6, 2012 - Ocean City Convention Center
ORP will be on hand to recruit new SRA members within the Ocean City region.
Baltimore Clayworks: The "World's Your Oyster" Exhibit and Pre-View Party
Pre-View Party March 2, 2012 - Local contemporary ceramic artists have created fresh interpretations of the oyster plate. Available for purchase. Pre-view party will also have live music, oysters, drinks, and light fare. Come join ORP!
Tickets to Pre-View Party:
Port City and War Shore Oysters "Revival Stout" Launch Parties
Saturday, March 17 from 2-4PM - at Pearl Dive Oyster Palace in Washington, DC
Port City and War Shore Oysters have made an oyster stout to benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Join us for the first launch party!
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Shell Us What You Think!
ORP is continuously working on ways to improve the Shell Recycling Alliance. Please respond to this email with any feedback you have on how we can improve the program! |
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