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The Chips Are Down 2010 Primary schools are being invited to enter the Genuine Jersey Royal Growing Competition to see which class can grow the heaviest crop of the Island’s famous potato. Now in its fourth year, the award-winning competition is organised by the Jersey Royal Company and supported by the Genuine Jersey Products Association and the States of Jersey Health Promotion Unit. In 2009 more than 100 classes from 21 schools took part with Bel Royal growing the heaviest crop, St Martin the most tubers and St Lawrence producing the best display of class work. It is not just children who will be taking part this year; the Constables are being invited to join in a parochial challenge and for the second year running there will be a contest among the local media. Last year the Jersey Evening Post news team grew the heaviest crop. All competitions will be judged at the end of May. Jersey Royal’s commercial manager William Church said: ‘‘We were delighted with last year’s record-breaking entries which saw more schools and children involved than in previous years. The schools’ competition provides children with the opportunity to understand how the Island’s most important crop is produced from planting early in the year, through lifting in the spring to how the crop is prepared for export to the UK market. We are also looking forward to seeing how the Connétables and the media fare in their contests which we hope will generate community interest in this year’s crop as well as being a fun experience for all the competitors.’ In addition to growing potatoes, the schools’ competition includes field trips to see how commercial crops are grown and harvested. It incorporates specific studies over the four-month growing period learning how plants grow, where food comes from, understanding the history of the Jersey Royal and the importance of a balanced healthy diet. To support their entries, schools are invited to submit class work which in the past has involved projects in English, history, geography, science, mathematics and even music. Head teacher of St Lawrence School Chris Jones said that the competition is an important educational tool as it makes learning in so many areas fun and teaches children the importance of the Island’s farming traditions and rural culture. ‘It’s a brilliant buzz – the children absolutely love it which is why we incorporate the competition into the school syllabus. For example, in maths the children make graphs and learn to how to measure and weigh. In humanities they tie it into geography by learning about the different types of potatoes grown around the world while in literacy they write poems. They also make drawings and artwork to illustrate the display element of the competition,’ he said. The Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey Products Association, John Garton said, ‘There has been huge support for this competition in the past and we are delighted to be able to offer it to school children once again. The Jersey Royal is an iconic product which continues to be hugely significant to the Island in terms of its heritage and economy. The competition provides a great way of teaching young people the historical importance of the Jersey Royal as well as relating it to today’s learning.’ To download the teacher pack please click here.
The Genuine Jersey Royal Potato Growing Competition Results 2009 This year’s annual ‘Genuine Jersey Royal Potatoes Growing Competition’, and the presentations were made at the Jersey Royal Company’s new packinghouse at Peacock Farm in Trinity on Monday 18 May. It was a light-hearted event, but the annual competition has the serious point of reconnecting youngsters with the source of their food – and educating them about Jersey’s premier crop. A team of experts visited the 21 competing schools to discover which classes had grown the heaviest crop and produced the best display of class work related to the challenge. The children (and the Island media people who had also competed) had carefully cultivated two seed potatoes, planting and raising them in school (or work) hours, and harvesting them ready for the prize day. The winning school was Bel Royal – naturally enough, their name must have given them a winning edge, apart from anything else. The weight of their potatoes was the heaviest: 1780.1 gms. St Martin’s School had the second-heaviest crop: 1585.2 gms and the highest number of separate tubers: 51 (compared to Bel Royal’s 25). St George’s School had the second highest number of tubers: 42. It was suggested, not too seriously, that the Jersey Royal Company might be securing contracts with these evidently proficient growers. St Lawrence School had the winning display of schoolwork, followed by Mont-à-l’Abbé in second place. And the media winner – well the JEP assumed their rightful place at the forefront of the Island’s media (although I might conceivably be a little biased in that respect). Reporters Carly Lockhart and Richard Heath had grown a fine crop in the flowerbeds of the JEP car park. 103 FM’s plant had prodigious growth – it was admiringly compared to a triffid – but nothing much below, and Oscar Puffin, who comprised Channel Television’s second team and also attended the prize-giving event, should really keep his day job. Treasury Minister Phillip Ozouf presented the prizes to the winning schools and the media champion. Bel Royal School received a voucher for £100 to spend at the JFTU, and the winner of the education project display category received a £100 voucher from Belles Fleurs Nursery. Competition organiser and judge Catherine Vint of the Jersey Royal Company said that this year’s standards were very high. ‘The children have put in an amazing amount of effort into growing the Island’s premier crop and in the projects they have undertaken to learn about the history and production of the Jersey Royal potato.’ It is the third year of the competition, which is organised by the Jersey Royal Company and sponsored by the Genuine Jersey Products Association and the Health Promotion Unit. Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin – who recently won the South-West heat of the Great British Menu – demonstrated various tasty ways in which the Jersey Royal can be used in cooking. Copy by Alasdair Crosby JEP Countryside columnist. Results
General
This is achieved in part by educating local people and visitors about the benefits of buying local and informing them about the range and diversity of seasonal produce on offer.
The educational campaign has included organising talks to schools, farm visits and cookery demonstrations and tastings. The association held a two-week long initiative called A Genuine Jersey Fortnight to encourage supermarkets, shops and farm shops to promote local produce. Retailers also hold a number of promotions which are supported by local suppliers, advertising and events.
The associaton organises competitions and educational initiatives in Island schools, often in conjunction with the Health Promotion Unit. A past initiative invited primary schools to design packaging for a member's farm eggs and poultry. The winning design from Grouville School will be used on Le Marinel Farm's egg boxes. If you would like to find out more about the association please contact John Garton our Chief Executive Officer who will be happy to explain more.
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The Genuine Jersey Products Association is committed to raising awareness of local produce and products and supporting all those involved in their production.
