Perry started digging littlenecks in Point Judith Pond when he was 12 years old. He grew up harvesting shellfish, eel trapping, bull-raking clams, and scuba diving for steamers. Before he opened Matunuck Oyster Bar, he was an oyster farmer. Graduating from URI with a bachelors and master’s degree, Raso studied aquaculture and fisheries technology.
In 2002 he founded Matunuck Oyster Farm, a wading depth aquaculture farm, on Potter Pond in East Matunuck (South Kingstown), RI. By 2008, the oyster farm was selling oysters across the country, and to ensure the future of the farm, he purchased a rundown restaurant located on the pond that had commercial docks. The docks would provide access for work boats, and the restaurant, opened in 2009 as Matunuck Oyster Bar, was a means to sell fresh oysters.
In 2011 he was growing organic vegetables at his farm located at the North end of Potter Pond, Matunuck Vegetable Farm, in order to provide guests with fresh produce. Most recently, he is building a shellfish hatchery across the street from the restaurant. He has been doing educational oyster farm tours since 2002 and has traveled to several developing countries to consult on various aquaculture operations. Education and giving back has always been at the core of the business.
