INTERVIEW: The Oberon Group Deputy Director Halley Chambers On Purslane Provisions In The Hamptons, Championing The Movement For Positive Environmental Impact And More

From the team behind Brooklyn restaurants Rucola, Rhodora Wine Bar and June Wine Bar, Purslane Provisions, which encompasses delectable at-home, plant forward prepared meals, CSA, pantry essentials and a selection of curated boxes, is now available in the Hamptons – in fact, it’s now available to anyone that resides within a 500-mile radius of NYC.

But for Purslane Provisions, it’s not solely about the fare. As the world’s first zero-waste and carbon neutral food company, sustainability is equally important.

We learned more about their inspiring efforts from Halley Chambers, Deputy Director of The Oberon Group – which includes Purslane.

Purslane is committed to offering carbon neutral, zero waste, conscious food. Could you please speak to that mission and how the company achieves it?

HC: Purslane has built its reputation on delivering excellent food, hospitality, and service while contributing to a movement for positive environmental impact. Food as a sector is responsible for 25% of emissions worldwide. As a hospitality company we feel it is our responsibility not to externalize the costs and consequences of our carbon footprint onto vulnerable communities and future generations. We are committed to being carbon neutral by measuring any emissions caused by our operation and investing in carbon negative initiatives to reach net zero.

Our commitment to zero-waste means a commitment to sending nothing to landfill – it requires that we compost, recycle, and upcycle 100% of what we purchase to make our food. We tightly plan our menu, operation, and ordering to eliminate the need for trash. We reclaim any potential waste from our production cycle and ensure all items make it to the appropriate compost, upcycling, or recycling stream and ensure any viable food is packaged for donation. The same care and thought is put into the food and items we send to your home.

We measure not only the carbon impact of our operations, but also the impact of the entire supply chain that provides us with food to serve. We analyze where and how we source our energy and our food, as well as the means by which we get it to you, so that we are taking responsibility for the full carbon life cycle of our products. This, we feel, is a baseline responsibility of a company dedicated to service.

What areas will Purslane Provisions serve?

HC: Purslane delivers anywhere in the 5 boroughs, and within a 500-mile radius of NYC.

Could you speak about Purslane Provisions’ offerings?

HC: As the pandemic forced all of us into our homes and out of our daily routines, finding ways to eat healthfully, sustainably and safely became increasingly scarce. Purslane Provisions was concepted as the solution to this problem- providing a one-stop shop for health forward prepared meals, farm fresh vegetables, groceries and kitchen tools – delivered directly to your home in a zero-waste and sustainable fashion.

Is there a certain day Purslane Provisions delivers to the Hamptons and will it be available beyond Labor Day?

HC: We deliver on Tuesdays and Fridays! The program will be available far beyond Labor Day – we are creating a sustained movement towards a fully zero-waste food platform, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next.

What have been some of the most popular items so far?

HC: Our weekend escape and upstate retreat boxes are extremely popular, particularly among the out-of-NYC crowds. Drawing from some of our favorite workhorses in our restaurant kitchens, these curated boxes are meant to give your pantry an upgrade, allowing you to create easy and gourmet dishes any night of the week. Not only that, but it allows our clients to skip a harried trip to the grocery store.

What is your favorite Purslane Provisions item and why?

HC: The family meal is the heart and soul of Purslane Provisions. A robust offering that reflects a modern way to eat – healthy, filling and delicious – the curation is well-suited to feeding a family of four throughout the week as it is to feeding a young couple without the time to cook. It really represents our philosophy and ethos as a company – bringing the warmth and community of our restaurants, and our mission, directly to your home.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

HC: We are so excited to be at the vanguard of building a truly green economy – one in which making the sustainable choice does not mean sacrificing taste, quality, or aesthetic. This adventure has allowed us to partner with amazing, mission-driven brands and more importantly, have meaningful interactions with our guests and clients. We can’t wait to continue our zero-waste journey, and bring everyone along for the ride.

For more information, visit provisions.purslane.com.