On Your Marks, Get Set, Grow!

Monday 25 January 2016

The tenth Genuine Jersey Royal Potato Growing Competition has launched with invitations going out to every primary school, the 12 parish Constables, Women's Institute branches and the media.

The event - organised by the Genuine Jersey Products Association and sponsored by The Channel Islands Co-operative Society - pits teams against each other to see who can grow the most and the biggest potatoes in a bucket.

Each competitor receives a growing kit comprising two Jersey Royal seed potatoes, polystyrene chips, compost and fertiliser – and a bucket to grow them in. All the competitors will be judged at the end of May.

In 2015, over 7,000 pupils took part from 31 primary schools between February and May, with St Christopher’s growing the heaviest crop, Grouville the most tubers and St Lawrence producing the best course work.

Organisers say that it is likely that the 50,000^th primary school pupil will take part in the competition this year.

Last year, the Constable of St Mary, Juliette Gallichan, grew the heaviest crop and the most tubers. There was a double triumph in the media competition, too, with Connect magazine taking both titles. In the inaugural WI class, La Pouquelaye grew the heaviest potatoes while St John had the most tubers.

The Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey Products Association, John Garton, said: “The 50,000^th pupil taking part, which is likely to happen this year, is a significant milestone and we will have a decade’s worth of students who have a better understanding of how food is produced and the importance of Jersey’s agricultural industry.

“With every year, the competition gets bigger and better and we want this year to be fantastic celebration of the historical and cultural importance of the Jersey Royal and Island life.”

Colin Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, said: “We are proud to be associated with the Genuine Jersey Royal Potato Growing Competition and everything it stands for. The Society is a passionate supporter of local suppliers, spending over £10.5m with them each year across the islands. This support has a major impact on our Island economy and communities, creating an enriching web of economic and social relationships, and preserving what makes Jersey a distinctive, fantastic place to be.”

The competition is also supported by Belles Fleurs Nursery, the States of Jersey Public Health Department and The Jersey Royal Company.