Cultivating Connectedness & Community in the Food Chain

I’m not in the habit of endorsing products or services on this blog, but I do want to highlight a unique organization, its leaders, and the quality product they are able to produce BECAUSE of their relationships and ties to the communities in which they operate, and with each other. Relationships and authentic community matters.

In an age where we often don’t know where our food comes from or who, or how it’s handled, it’s heartening to experience a transparent food organization. Depending upon what sources you read, it’s estimated that four corporations control at least 60% of the food market, and another six make up most of the rest, with smaller companies, including mom-and-pop shops, contributing a small percentage. When people eat, what I call plastic food – over-processed, chemically-laden, and GMO-ed, far from their natural form – their health suffers.

I have long been a health enthusiast, before the trends of eating organic or farm-to-table food became prevalent. My philosophy is, pay now or pay later – meaning, pay extra for good quality food now, versus paying extra for medical care later, because you haven’t been giving your body good, quality fuel. I have been eating organic groceries and growing some of my own herbs and vegetables for over thirty years, and I have belonged to a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm for about fifteen years. Whenever possible, I want to know where my food comes from, which includes, the growing process and handling of it.

I interviewed Boe Marsh and Bob Altman of Community Shellfish, a wholesale and retail dealer in lobster, clams, scallops, crab and oysters. This partnership has a working waterfront on the Medomak River in Bremen, Maine, and a Distribution Center in Bethel, CT.

I was struck by, not just by how incredibly fresh and great tasting their product is, but the consciousness with which they run their business. First, Boe and Bob have been lifelong friends since elementary school, both having previous illustrious careers in the finance and entertainment industries, respectively. Second, Boe is a 20-year resident and first selectman of the town in which he oversees the working waterfront in Bremen. Third, Bob is deeply connected to Fairfield County, the place in which their Distribution Center operates. They are as much about bringing fresh seafood, typically within a day of catch, to restaurants and retailers, as they are about educating people on who caught the fish and the community in which they live and work, in addition to offering recipes on how to best prepare and relish their seafood.

Boe and Bob have created a more streamlined model of moving the seafood from water to table. This process cuts out the middleman, so more of the profits can go back to the waterfront and their workers. In addition, it enables the end consumer to get fresher food. I was able to get fresh scallops caught the day before in Maine, and cook them that night in my home in Bethel, CT. They were the best scallops my husband and I ever had – and we’ve had many! When I told Boe this, he said, he would let the dayboat scallop fisherman, Kristan Porter, who caught the scallops, know. Kristan lives, at best seven hours from me. Somehow this gives me a feeling that we are in the same community. And how great is this, for the fisherman to hear what a customer so far away said about his catch? It brings it all full circle in a quick and intimate way.

In talking with Boe and Bob on a number of occasions, their passion, relationships, and intent on building a sustainable future for their business, their employees and their customers, really comes through.

For recipes and more information, please reference: merroir.me or info@merrior.me. 

Reflection Questions

As a leader, what are you doing to cultivate a sense of connectedness & community in the ecosystem of YOUR business - amongst your people and your customers?

How do you honor and respect the people who do the work you need done, not just think of them as “resources?”

How do you connect your employees with your customers and your customers with your employees in ways that matter for both parties’ experience?

Are you clear on the moments that matter – for you, your team and your organization?

Suze Shaner is an executive coach and leadership & organization effectiveness consultant. She also teaches yoga and meditation – tools to keep one sane in uncertain times. She helps professionals step up to their fullest leadership, life and growth potential. At times this means getting out of their own way in getting important stuff accomplished. www.sagelead.com.