Johnson & Gunstone Shellfish

About Us

Our roots go back to the logging boom of the early 1900s. During the wet and soggy winter months when conditions impeded local forestry work, many men were left unemployed. Andrew Johnson & his son-in-law Charlie Sr. Gunstone capitalized on this untapped workforce and hired them to harvest clams.

After over 100 years, the farm’s headquarters remain on the shores of Discovery Bay and business has evolved to include oysters. Brothers Reed Jr. and Andrew are the 5th generation to work the farm alongside their father, Reed Sr.

Mostly we sell commercially, but during the spring and fall we run our Farm Drop program. Our super fresh oysters, clams, and other seasonal items are dropped off at our regional partners in coolers straight from the farm. Customers arrive during a pickup window on drop day and are greeted by a J&G Shellfish Ambassador who will distribute the products.

Growing & Operating Practices

Without a healthy ecosystem and sustainable farming practices, our business cannot sustain for another six generations.

To ensure a healthy sustainable yield of clams and oysters we use crop rotation, re-seeding strategies, and low impact hand harvesting techniques.

Water quality is also a top priority for the farm as it is crucial for the health of the shellfish. It’s no surprise that Discovery Bay is home to some of the cleanest water in the Puget Sound. On top of the holistic farming practices, our farm has played a key role over the years in advocating for the stringent water quality policies in the area.