About Us
As a close-knit family drawn to the coast of North Carolina, we have enjoyed eating oysters for many years. Whether we were buying them by the bushel or buying them on the half shell, we often noticed that most of our oysters were imported from out-of-state! This desire for sourcing locally left us to search for opportunities within our own state for oyster farming.
And thus, the idea for White Oak Oyster Company was born.
Our owner, Benjy Davey, is the mastermind behind this operation. He and his wife, Justine Davey, reside in Durham full-time. Benjy's parents retired in Swansboro and their home serves as headquarters for our farming operations.
And thus, the idea for White Oak Oyster Company was born.
Our owner, Benjy Davey, is the mastermind behind this operation. He and his wife, Justine Davey, reside in Durham full-time. Benjy's parents retired in Swansboro and their home serves as headquarters for our farming operations.
Our 5.5 acre oyster farm, a mere ten minute boat ride from the neighborhood boat ramp, is nestled along the border of the Croatan National Forest near the mouth of the White Oak River. Its proximity to the Bogue Inlet allows the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean to flow through the gills of our Croatan Select oysters. This gives oysters plucked from our farm a strong, salty punch.
We utilize an intertidal longline system, popular in Australia, as the primary growing method for our oysters. The oysters grow in hanging baskets and are kept off the muddy bottom. Through this system, our oysters are exposed and out of the water for a few hours each day (based on the tides), which kills parasites, algae, and other unwanted pests.
Every aspect of our farm is handled by a member of the family. We are fortunate enough to possess so many different talents among us and have been able to utilize each of our gifts to create the product that we share with you today. Our family believes in engaging in sustainable farming practices, sourcing locally, and providing a high quality product to everyone that we come across from Durham to Swansboro and everywhere in between.
Sharing our oysters with you has been the culmination of many late nights, long weekends, cuts, bruises, and sunburnt faces. It has all been worth it and more, and we have learned so much along the way.
We encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you can stay abreast of all of our wonderful developments as we continue to grow this family project.
We encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you can stay abreast of all of our wonderful developments as we continue to grow this family project.
Thank you for being a part of our family's journey and for supporting our vision! We couldn't do it without you.
With gratitude,
The Davey Family
With gratitude,
The Davey Family