Collaboration. Celebration. Community. These are the values espoused by the Jersey Market's website. And I felt it as I wriggled through the shops, stalls and little eateries of the Jersey central market, which is one of the cutest I've seen while on my travels!
The markets are the traditional beating heart of commerce in the capital of Jersey, St. Helier, and continue today to play an important role in the island's fresh produce and tourism trades. The cultural importance can't be understated either: the Jersey government notes that the market has been serving the local community for more than 200 years, though there are references to Le Marche (Jèrriais, the historical local language) serving a similar purpose, being based in St. Helier since the 1500's!
Tourism-history website Vibrant Jersey describes a brief history of the market. The site itself dates back to 1881, built to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the battle of Jersey, a front in the 1778-83 Anglo-French war, which itself was part of a wider series of conflicts, the best-known of which is likely the American Revolutionary war. This specific front remains well-remembered in the island's historical memory, if a little forgotten in wider British culture. The market itself dates back longer, though. Some of the bright red, cast-iron gates that surround the market were first installed way back in 1803! The centrepiece of market is a historic, Victorian-era, 3m tall fountain, first inaugurated in 1888. The piece's architect, John Dyson, produced a select few, similar pieces all over the world from neighbouring Scotland all the way to Pakistan!
Today's stalls have to follow a strict criteria of rules which empathise sustainability, alongside a good business mind. Stalls need to also be locally based, be of high quality and promote the products and character of the island. You can sample local Jersey coffee, a blend made just up the street in St. Helier, and continuing Jersey's long-running love of beans!
If coffee's not your thing (or you're already on your third cup), you can try some local, seasonal produce. Beans, of course, are on the menu but there's also a selection of cheeses, ice creams or other dairy products from the milk of the world-famous Jersey cows, which you can guarantee you won't get to try anywhere else but on the island. If the season is right, you may also get to sample the well-known spuds: the Jersey Royals, which are perhaps one of the world's only protected potatoes. Apple season, near the beginning of Fall, fills the stalls with fresh, juicy, red-and-green fruits and a few weeks later in October, gives way to Jersey's best-kept secret spread: Black Butter. Jersey's black butter is such a big deal that every October the islanders host a festival to celebrate the traditional methods, dating back to the 16th century, of making it.
Of course, there are eateries as well, like the famous La Bouche restaurant, serving up the best of Jersey's locally-sourced foods.
If you're all filled up, its time to check out the rest of the market!
In addition to the some of the great foods you can try there, the market offers some of the same options packaged up (very cutely, I might add!) to take back home and enjoy . There's also coffee, honey, cookies, spreads (including black butter) and wine and other beverages from Jersey's acclaimed vineyard, La Mare Estate, located in the north of the island.
Apart from food, you can also find yourself cool Jersey stuff. Get yourself a Jersey cuddle-cow or seagull to join you as your companion as you travel the world! You can also find the Jersey pottery, adorned with island themes; another traditional industry on the island. Of course, there's local artists and artisans as well: if you're famous, like I am, you can even get your own portrait done!
(A super-special thanks to Molly Mac for this one, please check out her website and, if you're ever on Jersey, her store in the central market)
Across the street you'll find central market's little sister: the Jersey fish markets. Opened in 1841, you'll find here the day's catch: fresh fish, shrimp, lobsters and other local shellfish. Fished locally by Jersey fisherman, if you've never had an oyster, you might consider picking one up here... but you'll need to bring your own shucking knife! If that's too much for you, you can also pick them up at one of the local fish spots in the market.
More Info
The markets are located in the heart of St. Helier: Market Street for the Central Market, and Beresford Street for the fish market - though there are several entrances and exits to the adjacent streets. Both markets are open on 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday), between 07:30 - 17:30. Easily reachable from the Liberation bus station on foot.
Details of the market's specific merchants can be found on the Jersey market's website: https://jerseymarkets.je/