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About Us

About Us

A History of Cape Cod Oyster

AboutAboutAbout

Farming since 1983, Cape Cod Oyster Company is one of the largest oyster growers in New England, responsible for 10 percent of all Massachusetts oyster production. Known for our commitment to sustainability and traceability, our oysters are sourced from well-managed hatcheries, responsibly produced and harvested. Each oyster is fully-cleaned and delivered “chef ready,” meaty and sweet with a subtle cucumber finish. They score high in salinity and sweetness and can be traced from the time they leave the plant to the time they arrive on your table.

We are farm to table at its finest.

Cape Cod Oyster Company (Barnstable Harbor)
Cape Cod Oyster Company Aerial

Cape Cod Oyster Company was founded by Al Surprenant more than 30 years ago, based on his love of Cape Cod and his appreciation for its ocean and bays. An avid fisherman in his youth, Al learned the importance of water quality at an early age from his father Bert. He made a promise to himself, and later to his customers, that he would respect the waters he grew up on in Osterville, and he’s delivered on that promise working with the community and the Barnstable Water Coalition to grow oysters that are traceable and sourced from well-managed hatcheries, responsibly produced and harvested.

Our oysters originate in the nutrient-rich waters of North Bay, where they are then hand grown from seedling to harvest in the premier parts of Barnstable Harbor, West Bay in Osterville and Waquoit Bay in Falmouth. They are protected by a barrier beach and 8,000 acres of forest, dune and marshland. The strong ebb and flow of fresh ocean tides are what give Cape Cod Oyster Company’s oysters their distinct meaty, tender, and mellow finish.

Cape Cod Oyster Company Dragging
Cape Cod Oyster Company Warehouse

Not only is Cape Cod Oyster Company committed to sustainability and traceability, but we are also committed to our customers, working with the nation’s top distributors, supermarkets, and restaurant chains. We are craft production with large distribution. Our staff takes pride in helping customers by being highly visible, working on the road, and providing oyster education and outreach to drive sales and superior satisfaction. No order is too large or too small, and we have customizable size grading for specific applications. 

Our History

Begins raising oysters but focuses primarily as a clam seed supplier to municipalities and other growers.

1983
Timeline

Begins raising oysters but focuses primarily as a clam seed supplier to municipalities and other growers.

Raised surf clams for market. A naturally occurring clam disease makes this challenging.

2000
Timeline

Raised surf clams for market. A naturally occurring clam disease makes this challenging.

Rutgers University develops disease resistant oyster broodstock. Essentially starting the oyster renaissance. Cape Cod Oyster begins focusing exclusively on oysters.

2001
Timeline

Rutgers University develops disease resistant oyster broodstock. Essentially starting the oyster renaissance. Cape Cod Oyster begins focusing exclusively on oysters.

Moves to new facility in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

2003
Timeline

Moves to new facility in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

The oyster renaissance. Cape Cod Oyster begins selling some of the country's largest and most renowned retail and restaurant chains.

2015
Timeline

The oyster renaissance. Cape Cod Oyster begins selling some of the country's largest and most renowned retail and restaurant chains.

Moves into state of the art, 3rd party audited facility in Barnstable, Massachusetts.

2016
Timeline

Moves into state of the art, 3rd party audited facility in Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Acquires Washburn Island Oysters, Falmouth Massachusetts.

2017
Timeline

Acquires Washburn Island Oysters, Falmouth Massachusetts.

Cape Cod Oyster Company hires Scaler Marketing to build and launch a brand new "State of the Art" website.

2021
Timeline

Cape Cod Oyster Company hires Scaler Marketing to build and launch a brand new "State of the Art" website.

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