Last Tuesday I went to Carson Varnam’s Shellfish Market to photograph a typical day during oyster season.
Around 9:30 the first of the day’s harvest arrives at the market, where they’re placed into cold storage before being sold locally or delivered to restaurants or retail markets.
There are opportunities for Mikey Fulford, Carson Varnam’s grandson, to catch his breath between the oysterers dropping off their pull. That’s Rose, the dog, helping him enjoy a brief sit down.
Back to work. This last load of oysters went directly into the refrigerator truck as it was almost time to hit the road to Calabash.
After placing the last few bushels from cold storage onto the truck we’re ready to go.
Rose is kind of upset with me because she knows that I’ll riding in her usual seat on today’s delivery.
First stop: Ella’s Seafood Restaurant in Calabash. This area is well known for its seafood eateries.
Unload.
Next stop: Ray’s Produce & Seafood in Whiteville.
The proprietor, Ray Long, helps unload his delivery.
That should do it. That’s the last of them.
A bit of respite as Ray helps a customer with his fish and shrimp order.
Ray sells oysters, crab cakes, scallops, frog legs, and even gator tail by the pound.
After all the deliveries are made we return to the Shellfish Market. While we were away Mrs. Varnam was taking orders for oysters later in the week and scheduling people to go out and harvest them for her.
I went back on Friday and got two bushels for myself.
RESOURCES
Carson Varnam’s Shellfish Market
175 Varnamtown Road
Supply, NC 28462-
Phone: (910) 842-6425
Fax: (910) 842-6568
Facebook: Carson Varnam’s Shellfish Market
http://brunswickcatch.com/taste-the-history/
Ella’s of Calabash
1148 River Road
Calabash, NC 28467
Phone: (910) 579-6728
Facebook: Ella’s of Calabash
http://www.ellasofcalabash.com/
Ray’s Produce & Seafood World
400 Vinson Blvd.
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: (910) 640-2855
Facebook: Ray’s Produce & Seafood World
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