Community

Sam Rust partners with a number of local organizations as a way to give back to the community that supports us. We recognize the importance of supporting causes right here in Virginia, and take great care to source as much of our seafood from local boats and fishermen as possible.

Some of the organizations that we proudly support include:

• Camp Grom — An ocean-front park giving handicapped persons access to a beach style experience.
• JT Walk — An annual walk on the Virginia beach oceanfront to support ALS research.
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Funding and Advocacy — Supports research for juvenile diabetes.
• The Virginia Working Waterman Fundraiser — Sam Rust supports this fundraiser that organizes boat races and other games and challenges to support our local crabbers, clammers and fishermen that make a living from the Chesapeake Bay waters.
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center — Promotes ocean-friendly seafood from local and sustainable sources, and identifies best, better, and worst options for consumers to purchase.
• Virginia Living Museum — Connects people to nature through live exhibits and educational experiences that promote conservation
• Virginia Peninsula Foodbank — Donate food products to help feed the hungry on the Virginia Peninsula.

On a recurring basis, our team works to collect oyster shells for the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

In addition, Sam Rust Seafood houses a collection bin in our parking lot that allows local restaurants to save and dispose of their oyster shells in the bin anytime. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) then picks up those shells and returns them to the Chesapeake Bay.

These shells serve as homes for young oysters, which is crucial to restore our depleting oyster reefs. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water each day, which is a significant factor in the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality.

Sam Rust has taken a vested interest in this cause, and we encourage our community members to join us in protecting the bay.