Seafood lovers know that Gadaleto’s retail shop in West Chester is the go-to spot for the freshest and highest quality fish and shellfish. Owner Andy and his crew have been providing top-quality seafood to area patrons and local restaurants for over a decade. Freshness is king here (new fish arrives just about every day of the week), and many offerings are hand-picked by the Gadaleto’s team in the middle of the night at Philadelphia’s wholesale fish markets.
With this kind of commitment, it is no surprise that Gadaleto’s has partnered with the very special organization Gulf Wild. Gulf Wild is an exciting conservation-based group that works directly with U.S. fishermen to provide sustainably harvested seafood with eminently traceable origins. Through its TransparenSea Program, Gulf Wild has set a new standard for seafood sourcing accountability.
Ever wonder where, when and how your fish was caught? By scanning the QR code on Gulf Wild products you can find out the answers—not to mention the fishing vessel your selection was harvested by and every step along the supply chain before the catch hits your plate.
Through Gulf Wild, Andy and his team at Gadaleto’s can tell you the captain of the boat and the name of the ship that caught the fish you’re taking home for dinner (making for unique details to share with your guests about where that terrific snapper came from). With the growing interest in where our food is sourced and the popularity of the farm-to-table movement, this transparency extends the same type of connection between diners, their seafood and the ocean it came from.
This unique certification is exclusive (Gadaleto’s is among only 19 specialty shops in the United States carrying Gulf Wild products!) and elevates sourcing fresh fish to a boutique level. At the heart of Gulf Wild is something that we can all feel good about—a conservation program that supports sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and provides superior quality fresh fish with absolute transparency. Not only is this fish some of the best you’ll find anywhere, but it tastes all the much sweeter knowing the amazing efforts behind it.
We caught up with Andy to have him tell us a bit more about the Gulf Wild program. “There’s actually a TV show, Big Fish, Texas, that features a fishery that’s in this program,” Andy explained. “The people I work with are Wild Seafood Co. down in Florida. I vacation in Florida once a year and visit to say hi. They’re very nice people. Jason, and Vicky his wife are great. The quality is outstanding. We’ll even get pictures [from them] of the fish headed our way.”
“When a customer comes in, the most common question is ‘what’s fresh?’ We usually get the fish within 24–36 hours. It’s a pleasure to tell customers the story behind where [our seafood] is from. Who knows where their wild salmon is from? We can tell them what part of Alaska it’s from and what boat it came off of. Not many people can say that.”
Through the ByCatch of the Day program, Gulf Wild ups its sustainability model by offering fantastic quality fish that would otherwise be discarded in traditional fisheries. The program ensures less wasteful harvesting by offering different sizes and species of fish that traditionally might not go to market, despite being caught with the day’s main haul. Another bonus is that customers get to delight in lesser-known (but equally delicious) species that they might not otherwise try.
As Andy put it, “Not every fish that’s caught is the same size, but ByCatch offers them, and this makes less waste. Also, people get to enjoy great fish. They might catch some one-pound snapper and ask me if I want it. Sometimes I’ll get five small snappers and a restaurant will want them for that day. We like to introduce new things. Beeline snapper is one of those fish.”
We spoke with Jason De La Cruz (president and COO) of Wild Seafood Co. to hear more about this partnership. “I’ve been selling Andy fish since 2012,” Jason said. “It’s not uncommon for me to text him … when we get fish from the boats. [W]e try to make sure it all happens the same day. It’s some of the best product you can find anywhere in the United States. I think one of the interesting things with this movement is that you’re seeing brands like Gulf Wild empower the consumer, which raises the quality of products throughout the industry. It’s good for fisheries all around. I’ve heard of another brand out in California, Salty Girl Seafood, that’s doing something similar.”
As the old saying goes: a high tide raises all ships.
At the heart of this enterprise are relationships. Only trusted seafood houses are selected to distribute fish from Gulf Wild’s boats, and only certain shops throughout the country have connections with those seafood houses. Gadaleto’s extends the fruits of the sea to West Chester area residents via this intricate supply chain.
Seafood lovers and eco-conscious customers can find Guld Wild products, and many other amazing seafood options, at Gadaleto’s seven days a week. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram to find out about the freshest daily arrivals!
Gadaleto’s is located at 929 S. High St. in West Chester; phone: (610) 430-7777.
- Photos: Alexandra Whitney Photography
