Fall Harvest
Bellymans
Bellymans are NESO’s signature Great Bay oysters, grown in the Bellamy River in New Hampshire. Three to five years in the making and tumbled in steel drums, they develop deep, rounded cups with plump, sweet meat and a clean brine.
The name is our nod to a local “Belly Man” tradition associated with the Bellamy River—a generous cup with a story rooted in these waters. The story behind Bellymans →
FROM THE BELLAMY TO THE BAY
Why we call them
Bellymans.
A generous cup.
A Great Bay story.
The name began with a story from home. In an account shared with us by a librarian in Dover, the Bellamy River’s name was connected to a local figure known as the “Belly Man”—a gentleman remembered for his generous belly.
That local tradition inspired the Bellymans name. For us, it connects the oysters we grow with the Bellamy River, the people who have known these waters, and the stories that make this corner of New Hampshire home.
River-name origins are uncertain. Dover’s library preserves more than one explanation; this is the local tradition that inspired our oyster’s name. Read the library’s account ↗
Our historic setting: Back River Farm →
Explore Great Bay’s oyster story →BEFORE YOU ORDER
Pickup, delivery & care.
Preorder pickup
Add your preferred pickup day to the order note. Wait for your separate Ready for Pickup notice, then collect your order from the driveway refrigerator.
Take only the oysters you ordered. Extras must be ordered and confirmed before pickup.
Keep them cold
Bring a cooler and ice for pickup. Keep your oysters cold during the trip home and refrigerate promptly at 35–40°F (2–4°C). Do not freeze live oysters. Follow the shellstock tag and the handling instructions supplied with your order. Contact the farm if you have questions about storage or your particular batch.
Thursday local delivery
Within 15 miles of the Dover pickup address. Order by Tuesday noon Eastern for that Thursday. Later orders go on the following Thursday route.
Receiving windows are confirmed by the farm. Call before ordering outside the delivery area.
A question for the farm? 708-697-8377
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Product policies.
Raw shellfish warning
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
Returns & order concerns
If you're dissatisfied for any reason just drop me an email sheyne@nhgreatbayoysters.com
Safe pickup & handling
Per the NH Department of Health and Human Services guidelines all orders are pre-packed and preordered prior to pick up. Please bring your own cooler with ice to hold shellstock. Staff are to avoid coming into contact with personal coolers, and practice good handwashing and/or glove changing.
Harvest closures
Periodically there maybe harvest closure due to excessive rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances that could happen in this vast Great Bay. If this is to happen proceeding a scheduled harvest, we will send out a notification, credit your account and let you know about the next harvest date. Please understand these precautions are taken to ensure the highest quality product is delivered to you and the overall general safety of our customers.
FROM THE BELLAMY TO THE BAY
Know your oysters.
NESO-grown Bellymans
Origin & species
- Harvest location
- Bellamy River, Great Bay, New Hampshire
- Shellfish
- Eastern oyster
Crassostrea virginica - Original shipper’s certificate
- NH 203 SS AQ
Your retailer
New England Superior Oyster LLC
64 Piscataqua Road, Dover, NH 03820Harvest coordinates (latitude, longitude)43.130519, -70.847960
Refer to the shellstock tag supplied with your order for its harvest date and batch details. These Bellamy River harvest details apply to NESO-grown Bellymans only.