About

Founders Oyster Farm

Cleaning our waters, one oyster at a time.

After more than 3 decades as a TV producer for ABC News and the documentary world,  there came an opportunity for a course change. A love of all things water brought Steven Schnee to the North Fork. He learned the art of growing oysters by volunteering at The Cornell Marine Center and their Southold Project in Aquaculture Training (SPAT). With an underwater grant that dates back centuries, The Founders Oyster Farm got its start on a piece of seabed in the pristine waters of Peconic Bay.  

We source our 4-6mm and 16-20 mm seed, called spat, locally and place the seed in aquaculture mesh bags. We then put the seed in specially designed oyster grow out racks that sit 6 inches off the sea bed. The pristine Peconic Bay’s brisk tidal flow nourishes each Founders Oyster raising our juvenile oysters to adults in about 2 years. Each oyster is cleaned, tumbled, sorted regularly until Founders Oysters make it from our farm to your plate.

FARM LOCATION: Southold Bay, North of Shelter Island

FARMER: Steve Schnee

OYSTER VARIETIES: Founders Oysters

FLAVOR PROFILE: A delicious taste of the sea with each bite...gentle brine with a sweet finish.

DOING GOOD: Founders Oyster Farm is a proud member of Cornell Marine Cooperative, Southold Town Agricultural Advisory Committee, NY State Shellfish Restoration Committee, Long Island Oysters Growers Association member. We believe in supporting and advocating for the local oyster farmers.

WHERE TO FIND THE PRODUCT: Weekends at Pindar Vineyard, at our roadside stand at 140 Founders Path, or contact us directly for orders or private events.

FARMSTAND: 140 Founders Path Southold, NY (By appointment)

WEBSITE: www.foundersoysterfarm.com

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/foundersoysters