Perry Raso is the founder and owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, Matunuck Oyster Farm, and Matunuck Vegetable Farm in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He began harvesting shellfish in Point Judith Pond at age 12 and went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology from the University of Rhode Island. In 2002, he founded Matunuck Oyster Farm, and in 2009 opened Matunuck Oyster Bar, bringing his vision of “Pond to Plate” dining to life with oysters harvested directly from the waters surrounding the restaurant. His commitment to sustainable aquaculture and locally sourced food continued with the development of Matunuck Vegetable Farm and, in 2023, the Matunuck Shellfish Hatchery Research and Innovation Center, created in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island to advance shellfish research and innovation. Raso and his businesses have received national recognition from publications including The New York Times, National Geographic, USA Today, Yankee Magazine, and The Boston Globe, and have been featured on PBS and CBS Saturday Morning. A passionate advocate for sustainable aquaculture and the preservation of public waters, Raso has delivered two TEDx talks: in 2016, “The Importance of Sustainable Aquaculture,” and in 2022, “To Farm or Not to Farm... In Our Public Waters.” Raso continues to mentor students while supporting local organizations, environmental initiatives, and charitable causes.