Farm To Table https://harborharvest.com Harbor Harvest Tue, 21 May 2019 13:48:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://harborharvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/harbor-harvest-favicon-1a.png Farm To Table https://harborharvest.com 32 32 Long Island Sound Blue Plan https://harborharvest.com/long-island-sound-blue-plan/ Tue, 21 May 2019 13:45:22 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=2354

Sustainable Ecosystems – Compatible Uses – Click here!

]]> Harbor Harvest develops hybrid cargo vessel for farm-to-table food https://harborharvest.com/harbor-harvest-develops-hybrid-cargo-vessel-for-farm-to-table-food/ Sat, 20 Apr 2019 20:13:47 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=2335

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK

A new farm-to-table vessel will be sailing out of Mamaroneck soon.

The company Harbor Harvest says it is dedicated to developing the relationship between farmer, harvest and consumer. It sells fresh, locally sourced vegetables, butchered meats and dairy products to restaurants and grocery stores.

Bob Kunkel, the owner of Harbor Harvest, has designed a vessel to create a more efficient route to deliver the prodcuts. He says it’s the first U.S.-built hybrid cargo vessel.

“We’re trying to take congestion off the highways and put freight back on the water,” he told News 12.

The Harbor Harvest boat will be recharged during loading and unloading of products. It will be ready to ship out in a few weeks.

]]> Connecticut Port Authority – Ready to Move in 2019 https://harborharvest.com/connecticut-port-authority-ready-to-move-in-2019/ Wed, 07 Nov 2018 18:38:50 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=2103

With a focus on the state’s three deepwater ports, Connecticut also looks to foster commerce that leverages offshore wind, shortsea opportunities and local entrepreneurs.

By Tom Ewing
Maritime Logistics Magazine

The Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) has been in operation for almost three years, established by the governor and legislature to better coordinate efforts to improve upon Connecticut’s maritime economy, including a major focus on the State’s three deep water ports: New London, New Haven and Bridgeport.

The CPA, though, has a big picture vision and its focus includes small harbor improvements, ferry and cruise opportunities and system maintenance, particularly dredging. It wasn’t always like this. Prior to CPA’s establishment, port management decisions and development were housed in the state Department of Transportation. Importantly, however, the CPA is still linked to DOT; in fact, the DOT Commissioner – Jim Redeker – is on the Board of Directors…

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…One company ready to move into this new/old space is Harbor Harvest, based in Norwalk, CT. HH is a full-service food company: it has a restaurant, a catering service, a brick-and-mortar grocery, it grows and sells herbs and is ready to start up – likely in March – one very unique additional service: maritime transport among farms and farmers in CT and Long Island.

Harbor Harvest Underway
Bob Kunkel is one of HH’s principals and owners. His firm has contracted with Derecktor Shipyards to build a 65-foot all-aluminum catamaran vessel that will be used to pick up and deliver produce, meats and dairy products from local farms on both sides of Long Island Sound.

Kunkel explained that there are a number of logistical factors favoring his new venture. First, it’s difficult for small, local farms to reach customers farther than 15-20 miles away, despite market demand, which is increasing in his region, Kunkel said. These local shipments are almost always below full truckload scale. “There’s a big difference between local shipping and global shipping,” Kunkel pointed out. Additionally, he said that local officials don’t like 18-wheelers making deliveries in small city centers. The delays and unpredictability on major roadways are, for food, counter to notions of – fresh – at the heart of higher value.

Kunkel said many CT farms are near rivers and harbors. And, that’s important because his catamaran draws just 3 feet. As cargo, most farm goods are shipped on pallets and moved by forklift or a jack-lift. His boat will have RO/RO capability with refrigerated storage. Capacity is about 28 pallets. His plan: a grower meets him at the dock, say, in Norwalk, and Kunkel ships it east to Bridgeport, or south, across the Sound to Huntington, Long Island. The buyer either picks up the pallets at the dock or Kunkel can arrange for the “last mile” of ground transport. Quicker, predictable, fresher and competitive. Kunkel thinks customers will be drawn to the environmental pluses with his service – decreased ground-based transport impacts along with decreased CO2 emissions since his vessel will be a hybrid battery-diesel combination.

Kunkel was asked about the priorities he would emphasize considering CT’s new Strategy. He said an operation like his looks for support in two ways: development that rebuilds a working waterfront, one that meets commercial needs and harbor access, again for commercial operations, not just, say, for recreational boaters who might need a marina.

For Kunkel, Connecticut’s moves are timely. “Places are looking for this kind of service,” he said, adding that “growth is out there.” He is confident his market could eventually require 12 delivery boats providing service from New Jersey to Rhode Island.

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Full story here and here.

]]> Farm to Harbor 501 C introduction https://harborharvest.com/farm-to-harbor-501-c-introduction/ Fri, 19 Oct 2018 19:54:57 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1871

U.S. Agriculture is suffering from abnormally high levels of concentration with a handful of corporations controlling food production and consumption. This agricultural shift has forced thousands of independent family farmers off the land damaging rural economies, public health and our environment. Farm to Harbor is working towards restoring fairness and competition to family farms in the New England and New York Hudson Valley. The project’s success could transform the landscape of our food system for the benefit of all, not just a few in many other areas.

Two Hundred years ago family farms were located on rivers and harbors as the Nation’s waterways were the single source of transportation to bring their goods to market. In January of 1956, the Nation created the Eisenhower Interstate system and with the growth of our highways, corporate farming turned to trucking and moved inland where land and labor were less expensive. That Intestate highway system is now over congested, lacks sufficient drivers to meet market requirements and as a result the family farmer is relegated to selling his product at farm stands and farm markets within a ten to twenty mile radius. The family farmer’s largest problem is regional transportation and the ability to efficiently move his products to the larger population areas where he can sell his goods at a fair price.

Our project looks to reintroduce family farming to the maritime industry with the construction and operation of Hybrid refrigerated cargo catamarans delivering fresh food to the SNAP kitchens and urban food deserts in New York City, Brooklyn, Long Island and Connecticut by utilizing the waterways of Long Island Sound and the Hudson River. The cargo vessels operate without emissions, environmental impact or noise using lithium battery propulsion. They are capable of reducing current truck itineraries in these areas lasting 9 to 12 hours to periods of 45 minutes to 4 hours pending on the geographic location. The initiative looks to develop pilot programs in several locations near waterway located farming and dock space within the cities where eighteen-wheel trucking is no longer viable.

In order for family farmers to thrive we have to create more markets for them, giving more people the opportunity to access family farm food. Farm Aid fosters connections between farmers and eaters by growing and strengthening local and regional markets and working to get family farm food in urban neighborhoods, grocery stores, restaurants, schools and other public institutions.

The U.S. agricultural sector suffers from abnormally high levels of concentration, giving just a handful of corporations a virtual chokehold over food production and consumption. This has forced hundreds of thousands of independent family farmers off the land and damaged rural economies, public health and our environment. Efforts to restore fairness and competition in agriculture are long overdue and could transform the landscape of our food system for the benefit of all, not just a few.

About Farm Aid: Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 30 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $53 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

]]> Marine News – March 2016 https://harborharvest.com/marine-news-march-2016/ Tue, 16 Oct 2018 23:02:42 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1742

Shortsea Shipping & Harbor Harvest

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]]> Early Summer 2016 Newsletter https://harborharvest.com/early-summer-2016-newsletter/ Tue, 16 Oct 2018 20:59:21 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1715

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“Sustainability… one neighborhood at a time.â€
NEWSLETTER: Early Summer 2016
Welcome to Harbor Harvest!
Our mission is to procure and provide local, natural, and sustainable food products to our customers.
Harbor Harvest supports locally farmed and urban manufactured products of excellentquality that are also not harmful to the environment or do not deplete natural resources, and thereby support long-term ecological balance
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HARBOR HARVEST SUMMER EVENT SERIES
The Thrill of the Grill
Saturday, June 11th, 2pm
Come Join Harbor Harvest and the Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association of Connecticut (CTNOFA) on June 11, 2016 at 2pm for our first Summer Event Series “The Thrill Of the Grill†– the Summer Grand Opening for Harbor Harvest.
Join our organic farm partners supplying Harbor Harvest with CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) crops through the year as we explore artisan foods and craft beers from around Connecticut and New York while joining our Chefs and Butchers at Harbor Harvest in grill preparations. We will share proper techniques for smoking and grilling our locally sourced, pastured meats and fresh fish.
Come support your local farms and artisan foods:
Simpaug Farms, Ridgefield, CT: produce
Before & After Farms, Woodbridge, CT: locally crafted charcuterie
Walden Hill , CT : Acorn-fed pork
Jane’s Good Food, Westport, CT: Jarred pickles, carrots, beans, and more!
Red Bee Honey, Weston, CT: Countless flavors of local CT honey to cure those allergies
Just to name a few!!
Each vendor will be available in our backyard barbecue garden to provide samples!.
coney island beer

Boston Brewing Company will be available with their Cicerone with craft bear pairings to all of our guests!

Coney Island Brewery will release their Mermaid Pilsner
ON DRAFT for the first time in Connecticut at this event! Don’t miss out!!
Live Music! by local artist Canyon, recently nominated the “best singer song writer in CT 2016†throughout the event.
Tickets to benefit CT NOFA are available through Harbor Harvest.
*Purchase in advance as space is limited!*
Call us at 203-939-9289
E-mail harborharvest7@gmail.com
Space is limited so make your advanced reservations today or roll the dice and purchase your ticket at the day of the event. Event cost is $20/person
Proceeds go to our local farmers through Connecticut Northeast Organic Farmers Association.
Harbor Harvest, CT NOFA, and all of our local farmers thank you for your support!
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grilled food
Cooking Class:
Thursday, June 16th
7pm
GAME OF GRILLS: Rule Your Summer!
All of us at Harbor Harvest have been waiting for the chance to scream,“Welcome to Summer!†and fill the neighborhood with the smell of wood smoke and grilled meats, fish and vegetables wafting out of our backyard.
Well, summer is here! And on June 16 at 7 pm we plan to share some of our best-kept secrets of the barbecue grill and smoker. We plan to put together an army of new recipes from around the world to takeover the kingdom. Conquer your burger by keeping it moist with smoked onions, Cedar planks, blistered snap peas, and mayonnaise. We’ll add some new tactics from Asian and South American grills to dress your fish and meat. The grill will then turn to charred Kolrabi slaw, flavors of micro greens, marinades and the simple butcher’s dry rubs to add to new zesty flavors to your summer meals.
The evening recipes will include our own farm fresh beef, pork, and chicken along with our house-made sausage and sustainably raised salmon on the grill. A plethora of grilled vegetables, lettuce greens and potatoes are sure to be the perfect allies. And we mustn’t forget the WINE! A tasting of Rose Wines and Craft Beers will continue throughout the evening.
“It’s what we do… we drink and we know things†about grilling!
food tent
We plan to hold this evening in our beautiful backyard barbecue garden weather permitting.
Otherwise, we will move inside to our new industrial kitchen
You won’t want to miss out on all the action, it will make your summer!
$65 per person – $20 deposit required to hold a seat
Call or e-mail us today!
203-989-9289
harborharvest7@gmail.com
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NOW DELIVERING!
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Harbor Harvest is pleased to announce we are now delivering to the immediate East Norwalk community via Pedego’s zero-emission electric cargo bicycle!
We can deliver anything you require including sandwiches an d even groceries,
Right to the docks!
Call to place your delivery order today:

203-939-9289
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kitchen
Harbor Harvest Catering:
Corporate Lunches,
Private Events
Harbor Harvest is catering corporate lunches with deliveries. Assorted sandwiches and salads are all available. Call us in advance to place an order
(203)-939-9290
We are also capable of catering any function – we can handle any size event. And Harbor Harvest can even host in our beautiful building!
Both our Lunch Menu and Catering Menu are available on our Facebook page
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Thank you – from Team Harbor Harvest
All of us here at Harvest would like to thank everyone for your support through our first year of business. We are privileged to have been able to provide you with the best meats in town, catered events, the freshest sandwiches, and more!
As always, we value all of your suggestions and concerns, and we especially appreciate your continued support. None of this would be possible without you!
Love,

Bob, Marilyn, Ernie, Christina, Sal, and the rest of team Harbor Harvest

Remember to check in at Harbor Harvest and on our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events

]]> April Cooking Class – The World is Your Oyster https://harborharvest.com/april-cooking-class-the-world-is-your-oyster/ Tue, 16 Oct 2018 20:52:50 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1712

april_oysterEast Norwalk has a deep shellfish history dating back to the 1700’s when local Connecticut fisherman collected naturally grown Eastern Oysters and Clams along the 250-mile coast. During that period Connecticut boasted one of the largest schooner fleets collecting and importing oysters and clams to villages and towns inland and across Long Island Sound. Schooners were the backbone of Norwalk’s sailing heritage.

Albert James Hoyt born in Norwalk in 1864 was a descendent of two Mayflower passengers and was one of the first natives to begin cultivating or “growing” oysters between Oyster Bay, Long Island and the islands of Norwalk, Connecticut.

The practice continued as a family business and we are honored to serve Copps Island and Bloom Brothers Oysters and Clams at Harbor Harvest to this day.

Join us Tuesday, April 5th, at 7 pm for our third cooking class of the early spring as we celebrate local Norwalk shellfish and fresh sustainable seafood. First, you will learn how to properly shuck an oyster! Then, observe how to cook several of our classic shellfish recipes: Flaming Grilled Oysters, Oysters Rockefeller, Clams Casino and Oysters Blue Smoke. Next, enjoy Cedar-planked grilled Salmon and recipes for two pasta dishes: our Linguine with Red and White Clam Sauce with fresh rolled pasta, all served with Wave Hill Breads. Every course will also be paired with intriguing wines and local craft beers. We will even send you home with some local oyster gear!

$75/person

Visit us, Call, or E-mail to reserve your spot today!
Space is limited, $25 deposit required to hold your spot

7 Cove Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06855
(203) 939-9289
harborharvest7@gmail.com

Be sure to always visit our Facebook page for daily specials and event updates!

]]> WorkBoat: Marine highways called answer to interstate jams https://harborharvest.com/marine-highways-called-answer-to-interstate-jams/ Thu, 27 Sep 2018 20:15:23 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1942

A tug moving containers on a barge. SUNY photo.
By Kirk Moore
A few miles east of a never-ending traffic jam on I-95 heading for the George Washington Bridge, port officials and barge operators said new marine highway routes can help deal with mounting congestion in the Northeast.
“The capacity lies back on the water. That’s where it all began. Before we had a rail and road system, that’s how we did it,†said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, speaking at a marine highway conference hosted Thursday by the State University of New York Maritime College at Throgs Neck, N.Y.
“We have this great resource, we need to learn to use it again,†Buzby told an audience of 250 who gathered to hear about plans for new short sea shipping ventures. “It’s the only existing surface mode that has capacity.â€
“Short sea shipping makes the most improvement in the environmental costs compared to moving one container at a time,†said Ed Whitmore, president and CEO of Norfolk Tug Co., Norfolk, Va., which operates a daily 90-mile service up the James River to a terminal at Richmond, Va.
Measured as fuel consumption for moving a ton of cargo, barge transportation can achieve 647 miles per ton/gal., compared to 147 miles by truck, he said.
Then there are the issues of traffic congestion and wear and tear on highways and bridges.

“If you’re driving or commuting anywhere around the city, you know what I’m talking about,†said Mike Stamatis, president of the Red Hook Container Terminal, which operates a cross-harbor container-on-barge service between Port Newark, N.J., and Brooklyn, N.Y.

Marad, the Port Authority of NY/NJ and city officials promote the use of COB services as a way to eliminate some truck traffic and lessen air emissions in the region.

“I think there are a number of places in America that can benefit by saying, ‘Hey we’re going to take some of these trucks off the road,†said Derek Veenhof, executive vice president for asset management with Covanta, a waste-to-energy company that has a longstanding municipal waste contract with New York City.

City officials set reducing truck traffic a goal of their solid waste plan, not looking simply for the lowest-cost transport solution, said Veenhof. That commitment removed one barrier to the concept for moving containerized trash by barge for Covanto’s generation plants.

“Once you have that, the private sector will answer the call and say, ‘We can help you do that,’†he said.

Using short sea transport to redevelop small farming in Connecticut is the business plan for Harbor Harvest, based in Norwalk, Conn. Owner Robert Kunkel is having a 62’x21’ Incat Crowther designed, hybrid power aluminum catamaran built at Derecktor Shipyard/Robert E. Derecktor Inc., Mamaroneck, N.Y., to carry local produce across Long Island Sound.

“There’s $9 billion worth of produce between the mid-Hudson Valley and Connecticut,†but now coming from family farms “that can’t make more than $50,000 a year,†said Kunkel.

Using boats to serve the affluent Long Island market could mean an upstate farmer who gets $2 a dozen for his organic eggs locally might sell across the Sound for $6, carried on the 15-mile maritime route, he said.

That will eliminate the cost and delay of truck transport. Kunkel said he was under the impression a round trip from farm county to the city or Long Island was six hours – until truckers told him the time has now expanded to nine to 12 hours.

“They don’t want to do it,†he said. “They can’t make money.â€

About the author

Associate Editor Kirk Moore was a reporter for the Asbury Park Press for over 30 years before joining WorkBoat in 2015. He wrote several award-winning stories on marine, environmental, coastal and military issues that helped drive federal and state government policy changes. He has also been a field editor for WorkBoat’s sister publication, National Fisherman, for almost 25 years. Moore was awarded the Online News Association 2011 Knight Award for Public Service for the “Barnegat Bay Under Stress,†2010 series that led to the New Jersey state government’s restoration plan. He lives in West Creek, N.J.

 

Original article
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]]> Cision: Farm Aid 2018 Galvanizes Farmers, Farm Advocates And Eaters To Demand Urgent Changes In Our Farm And Food System https://harborharvest.com/cision-farm-aid-2018-galvanizes-farmers-farm-advocates-and-eaters-to-demand-urgent-changes-in-our-farm-and-food-system/ Sat, 22 Sep 2018 20:19:56 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1947

Annual Festival Showcases Resilience in the Face of Mounting Crisis

News provided by Farm Aid

HARTFORD, Conn.  — Against the backdrop of a 53 percent plunge in net farm income over the past five years, Farm Aid 2018 emphasized the determination of farmers and ranchers in Connecticut and across the nation to survive mounting challenges that include sinking commodity prices and rising production expenses and interest rates, in addition to uncertainty around the Farm Bill and U.S. trade and immigration policies.

At the sold-out event that took place at XFINITY Theatre, Farm Aid president and founder Willie Nelson said family farmers are becoming endangered. They haven’t faced such grave economic circumstances since Farm Aid started, with thousands fewer working the land compared to 1985.

“No matter what’s thrown at them, family farmers persevere,” said Nelson, “They’ve hung in there for generations, growing good food for all of us. Now we’re the ones who’ve got to dig in and fight for their survival.”

Joining Nelson’s urgent call for change were Farm Aid board members John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews (performing with Tim Reynolds), as well as Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, Ian Mellencamp, David Amram and Wisdom Indian Dancers. All of these artists donated their time, transportation and talents to support farm families.

The day-long festival kicked off with a conversation about the current farm crisis between Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Steven Reviczky, local farmers and Nelson, Mellencamp, Young and Matthews. Farm Aid highlighted area dairy and produce farmers who are determined to stay on the land, despite a historic confluence of challenges facing farms across the country, including crashing commodity prices, trade, labor shortages, health care costs and natural disasters. Since 1970, the number of American dairy farms has dropped by more than 93 percent, with bellwether dairy state Wisconsin losing over 500 farms in 2017 alone.

One program that currently benefits low-income individuals and families, as well as farmers, is SNAP/EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), which is under attack by members of Congress. Connecticut doubles SNAP benefits through its SNAP Match program, enabling families to use their benefits to support local farmers. SNAP represents an important market for farm families—one that has the dual benefit of feeding hungry families and providing income to local farmers.

“Farmers are an incredible example to this country of how to face uncertainty and adversity. They grow our food in the face of tremendous odds, offering us hope,” said Farm Aid’s executive director, Carolyn Mugar. “Every day they do their part to ensure good food for all of us; now as community members, voters and eaters, we can do our part to strengthen them.”

On Friday, 11-time Grammy-nominated music artist Jamey Johnson was honored with the organization’s Spirit of Farm Aid award for his unwavering support of family farmers. Farm Aid 2018 marks Johnson’s 11th appearance at the festival.

Farm Aid 2018 offered menu items that adhered to Farm Aid’s annual HOMEGROWN Concessions® criteria: all ingredients are sustainably produced by family farmers; the food is produced with ecological practices; and farmers receive a fair price for their products. Food choices for concertgoers included local clam-stuffed baked potato skins, fish tacos, a beet sandwich, hand-dipped corndogs and shrimp and grits.

Sponsors of Farm Aid 2018 include Bonterra Organic Vineyards, Patagonia Workwear, Lundberg Family Farms, New Belgium Brewing Company, Horizon Organic, Pete and Gerry’s Organic, Shenandoah Valley Organic, Harbor Harvest, Frontier Co-op, Spindrift and Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company.

“Farm Aid 2018” airs on AXS TV beginning at 7 p.m. EDT, as well as at www.farmaid.org from 3 to 11 p.m. EDT. Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel (59), Willie’s Roadhouse, also airs the show live from noon to 11 p.m. All broadcasts will include backstage interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage of the event.

Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 30 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $53 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Original article
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]]> The Hour: Norwalk area groups, businesses seek alternatives to plastic https://harborharvest.com/the-hour-norwalk-area-groups-businesses-seek-alternatives-to-plastic/ Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:24:46 +0000 http://host2064.temp.domains/~greyskye/harborharvest/?p=1951

Harbor Harvest barista, Brittany Tarantino, serves up a Rise Nitro cold-brew coffee drink with their new pastraws, a pasta straw, and aLemon Ginger Ice Tea with the reusable Ultimate Straw Wednesday, September

Photo: Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

By Justin Papp

NORWALK — Ripka’s Beach Cafe at Calf Pasture Beach has heeded the environmental call to make the switch away from plastic straws, but it took six months of hard work to make it happen.

“I don’t know how people are doing it, if they’re doing it at all. I looked for them at the beginning of the season. I was told I’d be able to get them and I never got them,†Clyde Ripka, owner of Ripka’s said on Tuesday, just a few days after he finally did receive his first order of paper straws.

Ripka said his usual distributor, W.B. Mason, told him there was a backlog on the paper straws, which have surged in popularity recently. Instead, he was forced to order through a smaller distributor, at a price nearly 12 times per straw as he paid for plastic.

Ultimately, Ripka announced the straws’ arrival — though they were not the correct size — in a Sept. 6 Facebook post, to which he said he received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

But the fact remains, the straws are an added cost.

“It’s a worthy cause,†Ripka said. “But I was amazed at the wall that was put up “

According to projections by the World Economic Forum, by 2050 plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish. Better Alternatives Now, a pollution research nonprofit, estimates that 7.5 percent of plastic in the environment comes from straws and stirrers. Numbers like those have groups like Skip the Plastic Norwalk — whose Facebook page states that 500 million plastic straws are used daily in the U.S. — up in arms.

Skip the Plastic Norwalk started a local campaign earlier this year to eliminate single-use plastics, starting with straws, and educate local businesses about the damage done to the environment by plastics. Nearly 20 restaurants have signed on as of earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the movement nationwide has been so swift and successful, the largest producer of paper straws in the U.S., Indiana-based manufacturer Aardvark, was bought out in early August by the Indiana-based Hoffmaster Group, in part to increase production to meet demand.

Andy Romjue, president of the Hoffmaster Group, said he started hearing about the push away from plastic five or six years ago, but didn’t see it start to pick up momentum until November or December 2017. The movement was largely spurred by legislative bans on plastics, especially on the coasts, and ecological concerns spread quickly over social media.

“Our demand is way outstripping our capacity. It was that way when we came in and it continues to be that way as more and more demand is built up,†Romjue said.

In response, Hoffmaster is expanding its facility and adding machines and personnel to keep up with demand. Though Romjue warned it could take some time, depending on the rate of market shift.

Local efforts to ditch plastic also come in the midst of a changing global recycling market, in part because of tariffs placed on China by President Donald J. Trump, which drew retaliation.

On Wednesday, the City of Norwalk announced that it would update its single-stream recycling collection list as a result of the ban on plastic imports from the U.S. into China. Beginning Oct. 1, plastic bags and thin plastic film (including bubble wrap), polystyrene, paper and single-use coffee cups and straws are no longer recyclable.

Mayor Harry Rilling said he hopes the city might also take a hard look at drafting ordinance banning some of those materials.

“For the environmental issues that are facing us, we should seriously consider an ordinance that would ban plastic bags, plastic straws, Styrofoam cups, Styrofoam containers. Those kinds of things that never break down,†Rilling said. “A lot of communities are doing that and I think we should start looking at it as well.â€

Others groups have acted as well.

In May, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk announced it would significantly reduce its use of single-use plastics, in accordance with the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, a group of 19 aquariums nationwide hoping to reduce the about of plastic in the ocean.

“We’re trying to practice what we preach. Our mission is educate about long island sound and create stewards for conservation. Plastic in the environment is a huge problem. So it just seemed wrong for us to be contributing to the issue,†David Sigworth, associate director of communications for the Maritime Aquarium said. “We’ve had no real negative feedback about it. People are very understanding.â€

The aquarium replaced bottles of water with boxes of water, eliminated all straws and plastic lids, and purchasing coffee cups and soup cups made out of paper coated with polylactic acid (PLA), produced from renewable resources such as corn and sugarcane.

“A lot of the burden on this fell the to company that runs our cafeteria and operates our gift shop. They went through a lot of hoops to find the best way to do that,†Sigworth said.

About six months ago, Harbor Harvest in East Norwalk responded to customer requests that they remove plastic, in keeping with their sustainable mission statement. They’ve begun the process of removing all plastic items from the store, beginning with straws and coffee stirrers. In place of plastic, owner Bob Kunkel discovered two options: a straw made out of pasta, or the “Ultimate Straw,†a stainless steel reusable option that costs $29.

Kunkel is selling the UltimateStraw out of Harbor Harvest at no profit, and the manufacturer donates $1 per sale to ocean research. He said the pasta straws are only slightly more expensive than plastic. Plus they can be used in cooking and are not backlogged. He didn’t have the same trouble with backlog that Ripka experienced ordering paper.

“On the pasta straw there was no price gouging at all, and they were readily available. But I have seen on other biodegradable options there’s been a delay in receiving the equipment and it is pricier,†Kunkel said.

But even with the store’s newly instated environmental accommodations, Kunkel said he still receives customer concerns.

“One concern was gluten free people who would come in and use the straw but have a reaction,†Kunkel said. “The gluten issue has become very important in the food industry, whether someone actually has celiac or just wants to remove it from their diet, any aspect. We have to tell people, understand this is pasta and gluten is involved.â€

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