This Is Jersey

AT the weekend Islanders and visitors were offered the opportunity of acquainting themselves more closely with traditional Jersey at the West Show, sponsored by this newspaper.

Although it is evident that the show was not exclusively about the Island as it existed temps passé, it certainly helped to emphasise that for all our reliance on finance for prosperity and the increasing dominance of urban life, the countryside is still very much at the heart of of our special identity.

It is universally acknowledged that Jersey agriculture is not the force that it was in the past – though last year the industry grew by an encouraging two per cent.

That said, agricultural activity is still the principal influence on the shape of the bulk of the Island’s landmass. Green fields, seasonal crops and the Jersey herd are still the keys to the essential nature of the country parishes.

If, in a modest way, the West Show helped to reconnect people with enduring fundamentals of Island life, another event taking place this week also confirms that there is more to Jersey than offshore business, moving money and protecting wealth. The final of the Menu du Terroir challenge affirms that Island produce and the skills required to turn it into appetising dishes are still of great importance.

Produce that includes the famous Jersey Royal potato, the equally famous dairy products from the Jersey cow, and crabs and lobsters that are now being promoted as one of the Island’s specialities is as much a part of the international personality that we are striving to reinforce as our constitutional status or our commercial success.

But the Menu du Terroir competition is more than a showcase for fine ingredients and fine cookery. It is also a reminder to Islanders that it makes sense to buy locally to taste the benefits of absolute freshness and to avoid the absurdities of importing basic foodstuffs from half-way round the globe.

If we need to be reminded how lucky we are, it is only necessary to point out that living in Jersey means that accessing a freshly dug Royal requires nothing more than a trip to the nearest roadside stall and that fish and shellfish straight from the sea are available in the fish market and at half a dozen other outlets around the Island.

Article posted on 15th July, 2008 - 2.00pm