- The retailer remains committed to best practices in seafood procurement.
- Food Lover’s Market wants to offer customers an unparalleled seafood experience that is fresh, affordable, and sustainable.
As responsible purchasers and suppliers of seafood, Food Lover’s Market – South Africa’s largest privately owned retail business – continues to support SASSI each year, strengthening its commitment to ensuring that buying practices align with business values.
“World Fisheries Day is just another reminder of how important it is to integrate our core family values of nourishing and enriching lives into our approach to offering customers fresh, affordable and sustainable seafood. Through our Earth Lovers programme, we feel it is essential to preserve and enrich our oceans through sustainable fishing practices so that these future generations can enjoy not only the taste of the ocean but the natural wonders of it too,” says Roberto Gastaldi, Head of Seafood, Food Lover’s Market.
The ocean’s resources are being depleted faster than it can be replenished. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has estimated that 94% of the world’s fish population is fully used, overfished or in crisis. At Food Lover’s Market, we understand we have a role to play in protecting this vast expanse that connects us all. We have a responsibility to ensure that we are honest in our approach and use our business operations to minimise damage and enhance the ecosystems that are so fundamental to life on Earth.
Commitment to Sustainability
As part of its commitment, Food Lover’s Market has integrated the principles of the WWF-SASSI Retailer/Supplier Participation Scheme into its operations. This initiative underscores the importance of procuring sustainable seafood and aligns with the company’s core values of providing good, affordable food for generations.
Partnership with Suppliers and Fishmongers
Food Lover’s Market collaborates closely with its suppliers to ensure that all seafood products meet strict legal, traceability, and sustainability criteria. Suppliers must complete the Food Lovers Holdings Sustainable Seafood Questionnaire and adhere to the Trading Terms and Conditions. The company’s fishmongers play a crucial role in maintaining quality standards, ensuring that every catch is prepared to the highest standards.
Harbourside Experience
At the Harbourside, Food Lover’s Market offers an unparalleled seafood experience. Customers can enjoy ocean-fresh seafood on a specially designed counter resembling a boat. Expert fishmongers, who are given ongoing training in good seafood practices, seafood selection, and preparation, are on hand to prepare every catch precisely, ensuring it meets the highest quality standards. While waiting for their seafood delicacy, shoppers are surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean, creating a truly immersive experience.
The Seafood Journey
Food Lover’s Market is committed to driving positive change within the seafood industry by promoting sustainable seafood choices and creating market-driven incentives for sustainability. By ensuring traceability from “boat to plate,” the company is setting a standard for responsible seafood practices.
Food Lover’s Market hopes to be a beacon of hope as the world faces the challenges of overfishing and marine resource depletion. It aims to demonstrate that enjoying the ocean’s bounty is possible while safeguarding it for future generations.
Read more about our Sustainable Seafood Policy.
