T

he Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance 

(CBA), an organization that for 30 

years has monitored the health of 

the Choctawhatchee Bay and its 

waterways in Okaloosa and Walton Counties, 

teamed up with Whole Foods Market at 

Destin Commons to present the Save Our 

Bay Oyster Roast.

With bushels of fresh Blue Point oysters, 

the Whole Foods culinary team demonstrated 

roasting, a classic, southern-style preparation 

of the popular mollusk, using a fl ame and a 

damp burlap sack. Attendees sampled the 

roasted oysters for $1 per oyster to benefi t 

CBA and the tasty oysters sold out by the 

end of the event. The afternoon event also 

showcased kids’ activities, educational 

information booths, enter to win prizes from 

area merchants, and more. Whole Foods 

Market chefs also offered signature sides and 

healthy, prepared meals for kids.

CBA, a non-profi t organization, is 

responsible for sustaining healthy local 

waterways. Their O.Y.S.T.E.R recycling 

program allows the CBA to partner with area 

restaurants with the goal of collecting oyster 

shells and using them to construct oyster reef 

habitats.

Alison McDowell, CBA’s director, said, 

“The Save Our Bay Oyster Roast was a 

great opportunity to showcase our oyster 

shell recycling program and how important 

oysters are to our bay. These oyster reefs 

provide habitats for fi sh and crabs. Adult 

oysters can fi lter up to 50 gallons of water 

a day. We helped the public to understand 

the importance of oysters and how they help 

make our bay so enjoyable for fi shing and 

recreational use.” She further commented, 

“We can’t take our waterways for granted. We 

need people to join us in this mission.”

The event was sponsored by Grayton Beer 

Co. All oyster and beer proceeds benefi ted 

the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. For more 

information, visit www.basinalliance.org or 

call (850) 200-4171.

   VIP Destin at Whole Foods Market 

photos & story by

 

Kay Phelan

Jeanne Dailey & Tracy Louthain

Carl Bardin

Gina & Bob Seton

Dennis Peters, Dawn Pack & Chester Kreuger

Alison McDowell & Jessica Foy

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