Photo courtesy Michael C.Hild
Owners: Michael C. Hild and Laura Dyer Hild
Location: Middle Peninsula
History: Anderson's Neck Oyster Co. is continuing a centuries-old tradition of farming oysters in the York River. This particular stretch is named for Richard Anderson, who obtained the property as a land grant in 1662. Dutch businessmen from New York farmed the river from as early as the 19th century.
Specialty: Crassostrea virginica or the Eastern Oyster. Anderson's Neck's first premium oyster is the Eagle Flats, grown in the waters of the upper York River.
Production Methods: Anderson's Neck utilizes a sophisticated aquaculture system, including solar-powered upwellers (shallow tanks where the oysters grow) to optimize water flow and increase phytoplankton growth. This technology not only hastens development of the oysters but also plays a role in improving the York River's ecosystem.
Where to get it in RVA: Anderson's Neck oysters are available for home delivery, as well as on the menu at Heritage in the Fan and at Dutch & Company in Church Hill.
Anderson's Neck Oyster Co.
1696 Cherry Row Lane, Shacklefords, 396-6680 or andersonsneck.com
Heritage
1627 W. Main St., 353-4060 or heritagerva.com
Dutch & Company
400 N. 27th St., 643-8824 or on Facebook as "Dutch & Co."
