- Farmers act to protect local veg production when Amal-Grow closes in the summer
- Local grower Charlie Gallichan wants the States to make it easier to get local food in supermarkets
- States should fund the project, says Andrew Lucas, of Lucas Brothers
- Would you pay more for local produce? Take our poll below
A GROWER’S bid to secure local vegetable production when supplier Amal-Grow closes this summer will encourage new blood to take up farming, says a fellow producer.
Earlier this year fears were raised about the future of the industry when Amal-Grow, which supplies Island supermarkets and shops, announced it was shutting in a move which put 49 jobs at risk.
Andrew Lucas, of Lucas Brothers, says the States should back a move by Charlie Gallichan, of Woodside Farms, which will make it easier for more farmers to supply the supermarkets.
Mr Lucas said: ‘Charlie is taking the right approach to establish a one-business situation whereby farmers will supply Woodside, who will then supply the supermarkets.
Amal-Grow was sold to Albert Bartlett and Sons in 2013.
The company, which has a depot on Trinity Main Road, was started in 1976 by Tony Le Brun.
It was hoped at the time that being owned by a larger company could open up new distribution channels.
Farm director and shareholder Mike Greenwood said at the time that the business would continue to provide locally grown veg to shops in the Island as well as looking at exports.
He added: ‘Tony was the senior partner and a 60 per cent owner of the business and he was at a stage in his life where he wanted to retire.
‘That has been one of the issues where growers have held back because of the guidelines of the supermarkets, where you have to observe so many stringent procedures, such as packaging produce and having the right labelling.
‘It has put off people going down that road.’
And, Mr Lucas says, the States should also give Mr Gallichan the money he needs to get going.
‘The Trinity farmer has submitted a business plan to the States, but neither he nor politicians will disclose the amount he wants.
However, Mr Gallichan says how many farmers will be involved and the scale of diversification into new and niche market crops – and the future of agriculture and the livelihoods of Island growers – depends on the level of States support.
Lucas Brothers comprises a farm and a farm shop at La Haule, another in Liberty Wharf, and an online home delivery service, as well as a wholesale business supplying the hospitality industry.
Referring to Mr Gallichan’s initiative, Mr Lucas said: ‘As I understand it, any farmer can deliver to that one-business situation and all the packaging and labelling will be done.
‘This means it will give lots of people who want to come into the industry a good opportunity to continue.
‘It’s a good idea and the States should support it.’
Woodside Farms also have the backing of Homefield Growers in St Clement, which combines a farm shop with a wholesale business supplying 200 customers including hotels, restaurants and cafés.
Catherine Le Brun, who with her brother, Peter, came home to Jersey to join their father, Trevor, in the family business last year, said they were fully behind securing the supply local produce and Mr Gallichan’s initiative.
‘Our main priority is to support local wherever possible,’ she said. ‘It is very beneficial for the Island to keep vegetable supplies local, so we hope Charlie Gallichan will be successful.
