The excitement is building this week as we kick off the latest edition of the Genuine Jersey, Jersey Royal Potato Growing Competition, marking its eighteenth year. Sponsored by local fruit and vegetable wholesalers, Homefields, this annual event has evolved over the years and continues to thrive. Homefields play a crucial role by assembling and delivering hundreds of growing kits to all of our participants.
Once again our Parish Constables, local media, Occupation VIPs, and branches of The Women’s Institute will be growing alongside green-thumbed schoolchildren from all 33 Primary Schools. Together, they will compete to cultivate the heaviest crop of Jersey Royals and achieve the highest yield, two hotly contested categories.
Every competitor will receive a complimentary growing kit, comprising two Jersey Royal seed potatoes sourced from MasterFarms, along with soil donated by the Government of Jersey’s household green waste team. Emphasising environmental responsibility, participants are encouraged to reuse previous containers. A total of 327 growing kits will be dispatched by Homefields throughout the week commencing Monday, February 5th.
This competition serves as a delightful yet educational introduction for Primary school pupils to the cultivation of fresh, local produce, connecting them with Jersey's rich heritage. Simultaneously, it instils an understanding of the importance of healthy eating habits while offering the satisfaction of growing your own food.
John Garton, Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey Products Association, expressed his enthusiasm for this annual event, stating, “As we have spent the first month of the year watching our local farmers diligently plant their fields with Jersey Royal seed potatoes, we are gearing up to welcome a fresh cohort of competitors participating in the Genuine Jersey, Jersey Royal Potato Growing Competition."
“The Jersey Royal remains a cornerstone of the island's exports, and the inclusivity of this event, involving people of all ages, exemplifies its brilliance. Come weigh-in day, we revel in witnessing the joy on every face of those who have dedicated 12 weeks to this competition as they unearth the fruits of their labours.”
Catherine Conway, Director of Homefields, shared her excitement, stating, “We're thrilled to play a significant role in this year’s competition. As the island’s largest independent wholesaler of fruit and vegetables, we take pride in supplying and distributing the growing packs, contributing to educating young minds about the significance of fresh, local produce and the island's agricultural heritage.”
Participating schools will weigh their potatoes on the same day, with results uploaded to a dedicated area on www.genuinejersey.je. The winners in each school category will receive their certificates on Thursday, May 16th, at St Lawrence Parish Hall, coinciding with the weighing in of media and Parish Constable’s entries.
