More than 100 different varieties of fruit, vegetables, salad leaves, herbs and organic produce are currently in season and available from members of the Genuine Jersey Products Association. But the association is concerned that shoppers aren’t aware of the diversity of the range and is urging consumers to petition their shops to stock local produce instead of imported varieties. The message to shoppers is to look for the logo before they buy.
Genuine Jersey merchandising coordinator Catherine Vint has recently produced a month-by-month inventory of the crops grown by members. She wants to demonstrate to consumers which goods can be bought locally and at what time of the year.
Catherine explained how she contacted Genuine Jersey’s growers to assemble a ‘seasonality of locally available produce’. She said: “Our members grow everything from potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries, to edible flowers and beetroot, to the more exotic sounding lemon verbena, chards and tat soi. I am often asked by the public where and when they can source certain crops so I decided to create a definitive record which represents the fantastic variety of seasonal crops. The list will be useful for shoppers, retailers and restaurateurs, especially those who are taking part in this year’s Genuine Jersey Menu de Terroir competition.”
Genuine Jersey chairman, Ken Syvret MBE, reiterated the message that it is down to shoppers to create the demand for fresh, seasonal produce. He said: “We’ve never had a stronger membership at Genuine Jersey and our growers and producers really do supply a stunning assortment of crops. Although consumers are aware that certain vegetables and fruit are available, I wonder whether they would also know they can buy red chard, radicchio, parsnips and peas. All these varieties are grown in Jersey, but only the consumer can create the demand to ensure that crops continue to be stocked in local shops and markets.”
The list of seasonal produce can be viewed in full on the association’s website at www.genuinejersey.com/seasonal
Genuine Jersey merchandising coordinator Catherine Vint has recently produced a month-by-month inventory of the crops grown by members. She wants to demonstrate to consumers which goods can be bought locally and at what time of the year.
Catherine explained how she contacted Genuine Jersey’s growers to assemble a ‘seasonality of locally available produce’. She said: “Our members grow everything from potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries, to edible flowers and beetroot, to the more exotic sounding lemon verbena, chards and tat soi. I am often asked by the public where and when they can source certain crops so I decided to create a definitive record which represents the fantastic variety of seasonal crops. The list will be useful for shoppers, retailers and restaurateurs, especially those who are taking part in this year’s Genuine Jersey Menu de Terroir competition.”
Genuine Jersey chairman, Ken Syvret MBE, reiterated the message that it is down to shoppers to create the demand for fresh, seasonal produce. He said: “We’ve never had a stronger membership at Genuine Jersey and our growers and producers really do supply a stunning assortment of crops. Although consumers are aware that certain vegetables and fruit are available, I wonder whether they would also know they can buy red chard, radicchio, parsnips and peas. All these varieties are grown in Jersey, but only the consumer can create the demand to ensure that crops continue to be stocked in local shops and markets.”
The list of seasonal produce can be viewed in full on the association’s website at www.genuinejersey.com/seasonal
