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A local environmental campaigner has revealed her top tips for indulging in Christmas feasting, while limiting environmental impact.
From seafood to meat and cheese, Sheena Brockie of the Good Jersey Life and Plastic Free Jersey is urging islanders to consider these local produce picks...
"Jersey has a thriving fishing and aquaculture farming industry, so it is very simple to eat locally, seasonally and zero waste.
Pictured: Scallops, crab, lobster, oysters and fish all dwell in Jersey waters.
Call in to the Fish Market, the Fresh Fish Company on Victoria Pier, or Faulkner Fisheries at St. Ouen and they will talk you through their local catch of scallops, crab, lobster and fish.
We even have the world’s first ASC accredited oyster farm in Jersey Oyster - certifying environmentally and socially responsible seafood.
The mainstay of every Christmas dinner is an array of winter vegetables, and luckily these are all farmed locally in Jersey.
Pictured: Potatoes, carrots, leeks, parsnips, you name it, local producers have it.
Potatoes, carrots, leeks, parsnips, cauliflower, onions and the much loved Brussels sprouts are all available from local producers.
See the central market, Scoop - the sustainable co-operative or your nearest farm shop online.
When you buy locally in this way you can buy with zero food miles and only buy the exact amount you need, which reduces food waste and plastic packaging, as well as supporting local producers and the local economy.
We are in a climate emergency and we know we must reduce our consumption of meat - especially mass produced factory meat. The message here being reduce.
Pictured: Jersey pork and lamb are raised free-range.
In the future, meat may not be an everyday staple but an occasional treat. Thankfully, we do not factory produce livestock here.
Jersey pork and lamb are raised free-range and local farmers will have (or are working towards) LEAF - an accreditation Linking Environment And Farming.
See your local butcher for more info, or Me and The Farmer, Douet Farm and Field Farm directly. Straight from farm to fork - a local, zero food miles option!
Whilst we don’t have anyone farming the traditional turkey in Jersey, you can order free-range UK turkeys from most butchers
If you have a sweet tooth, you can still buy local and seasonal Jersey produce.
Pictured: La Cremière accept bottle returns.
From a selection of cakes and pastries from Vienna Bakery, salted caramel from La Cremière, delicious ice cream from Jersey Dairy and Miniotti, or traditional Jersey fudge from Sue’s Fudge - there are lots of local options to sate your sweet desires.
Added bonus points for La Cremière who accept bottle returns!
If you are a savory lover why not try kale crisps from Gemma at Wild Health - using locally sourced kale.
Whilst Jersey Dairy cheddar is widely available on the island, we also have two local Goat’s cheese producers too - Douet Farm and Jerriaise D’Or.
Pictured: Jerriaise d'Or 'Fluffy Fukha' cheese.
Douet Farm is farmed organically and their land is currently in the official two year conversion process with the Soil Association. Jersiaise D’Or are members of KIWA (testing, inspection and certification) which is the goat farm equivalent of Red Tractor.
Choices that support local producers, protects land and biodiversity as well as having minimal food miles.
By supporting local producers you are supporting a small business, adding funds into the local economy, creating jobs, and adding to food security. Add to that the option of zero food miles, reduced single-use packaging and improved land and habitat management - buying local really can make a massive impact.
Merry Christmas!"
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