FAQs
Q: HOW DO I PROPERLY STORE MY SHELLFISH?
- Once you receive your shellfish, remove your fresh live shellfish from the box.
- Place shellfish in an open container to retain their natural juices (i.e. colander)
- Cover the shellfish with a damp towel.
- Place in your refrigerator. DO NOT FREEZE.
- Shellfish stored this way will easily keep 5-7 days.
Q: HOW CAN I CHECK THAT MY SHELLFISH IS LIVE?
- Oysters: if you have received oysters that are partially open, simply use your two fingers to gently push close the shell. If the oyster closes on its own this oyster is still very much alive and safe to eat. If the oyster does not close, please discard as this is a dead oyster and should not be eaten.
- Clams & Mussels: if you have received clams and/or mussels that are partially open, run the shellfish under water and the shellfish may close on its own. This means this shellfish is alive and safe to eat. Sometimes the mussels & clams are open because they are attempting to filter. Try pinching the shellfish closed & you should see them attempt to close. They may not close all the way, but movement means they are still alive. If the shellfish does not close or attempt to close, please discard as it is dead and should not be eaten.
- After cooking: if any clams and/or mussels have not opened after cooking, do not eat. This shellfish is either dead or empty. Please discard and do not force the shell open.
Q: WHERE CAN I FIND RECIPES TO TRY?
You can find recipes in the link below! Remember to tag us on social media with posts of your delicious dishes!
Instagram : @penncoveshellfish
Facebook: Penn Cove Shellfish @penncove
Q: WHAT IF MY SHELLFISH DOESN'T ARRIVE?
We track all shipments in office. If your product does not arrive, we will file a claim with the appropriate carrier and ship you out new product free of charge! Unfortunately once the shellfish leaves our location we cannot control what happens to it. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Please submit any concerns to info@penncoveshellfish.com.
Q: HOW/WHERE DOES PENN COVE SHELLFISH SHIP?
We ship via UPS next day air to everywhere in the United States.
Shipping rates are calculated at checkout.
We ship all living product overnight as live shellfish is highly perishable and unfortunately the UPS delivery trucks are not refrigerated. Therefore, overnight shipping helps assure your product is delivered fresh!
If you order a non-perishable product we will ship this using UPS ground, to arrive within 5-7 business days.
Q: HOW FRESH IS THE SEAFOOD I ORDERED?
We harvest and pack your product the same morning the product is shipped! This means the product arrives on your doorstep within 24 hours of harvest!
Orders placed Monday 12:00am - 11:59pm ship Tuesday.
Orders placed Tuesday 12:00am - 11:59pm ship Wednesday.
Orders placed Wednesday 12:00am - 8:00am Thursday ship Thursday.
All orders placed Thursday after 9am - Sunday 11:59pm are harvested, packed & shipped Monday.
We do not ship out on Friday's or the weekend.
Our crews harvest Sunday - Thursday. Our office is open Monday - Friday. Therefore the days available to harvesting your fresh shellfish for overnight shipping to your door step are Monday - Thursday.
Q: HOW DO I READ THE TAG THAT CAME WITH MY SHELLFISH?
Our tags can be a bit confusing, but once you understand how to read them, its easy! The information can be found as follows:
Orig. Harvest Date: This is the date that our grower harvested this product.
Orig. Shipping Date: This is the date our grower shipped the product for Penn Cove to pick up.
Original Harvest Location: This is the harvest location of our grower where the product came from.
Wet Stored At: This is the location where we have wet-stored your product until it is ready for harvest. All products are wet stored at Penn Cove to keep your product fresh and live in the water. In the water the product can continue to eat & grow.
From: This is the date that the product began its wet storage in our waters.
To: This is the date that your product was harvested from our wet storage for shipment to you.
Shipped on: This is the date the product was shipped to you to enjoy!
Type of Shellfish: Where we tell you what the name of the product is & type of shellfish.
Quantity: How many pounds or dozens are in the bag with this tag attached.
