M&S was the first UK retailer to launch its Jersey Royal potatoes this year, thanks to its longstanding 10-year relationship with the Le Maistre family.
The family has been farming the soil on Jersey since 1841 and is led by sixth-generation grower Philip Le Maistre, who works alongside son Phil Jnr and brother Peter, as well as a team of local experts.
Philip Le Maistre Jnr said: “It’s a real tradition for us to get the first harvest of the season onto M&S shelves. While my dad, uncle and I have never seen a planting season with such continuous rain, we’ve taken great care, planting more by hand and using the same traditional methods my great-grandfather did, to ensure the potatoes get the best possible start. Our team works incredibly hard to deliver the very best taste, and we’re proud that families across the UK will be able to enjoy a product that is as fresh as it can possibly be.”
The Le Maistre farm is part of M&S’ Plan A Farming for the Future programme and are LEAF Marque certified growers, combining traditional and modern methods to grow potatoes more sustainably.
