Fairy Meadow's Harley and John's, named after its previous owners, is the only independent seafood market in NSW to be certified under the nationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Blue Fish Tick of approval. Current owner Grant Logue leads his team in providing quality sustainable seafood with an emphasis on locally sourced produce and great customer service.
The shop in Daisy Street, Fairy Meadow (next to Woolworths carpark), has been a seafood retail store since 1988 when Harley from the seafood market at Wollongong Harbour joined forces with John. Grant took over the business in 2009 and now has a team of eight knowledgeable staff whose mission is to spread the word about the benefits of eating sustainable seafood.
A move is in store for the team with the site in Daisy Street proposed for redevelopment, but not for a few years yet. Grant is looking forward to the opportunity to renew his business in a different location. He tells me that he will be canvassing his regular customers in the lead-up to the move to find the right place.
Grant, a lifelong Mount Ousley local, moved into seafood retail from the building industry. He was always interested in food and was looking for a profession locally that would work with raising a young family.
For Grant, the move to sustainably sourced seafood started with increasing his customers' awareness of where their food comes from. He only stocks seasonally available seafood, including oysters from Australia’s Oyster Coast.
A third of the world's wild fish populations are overfished, a major global challenge that threatens ocean wildlife, livelihoods and seafood for future generations. The MSC Blue Fish Tick ensures that wild-caught seafood is sourced sustainably from healthy, wild fish populations.
MSC certification is a rigorous process based on science and research and typically takes 12-18 months to achieve. Grant tells me that an international auditor will be visiting Harley and John's in the coming weeks to ensure that all standards are met throughout the supply chain.
“Australia has a highly regulated industry that should ensure our seafood remains sustainable,” Grant said.
The Harley and John's website is packed with great information, including more about the sustainability certification, nutritional benefits, seafood myths and facts, and cooking tips.
Harley and John's has recently expanded its range to include locally produced artisan products.
There are plans for a celebration of seafood and locally sourced products at the store on Christmas Eve. Stay tuned for more details.
