The Ultimate Guide to Hedge Veg in Jersey
One of Jersey’s most charming traditions is the hedge veg system available across the island. A way to support local farmers and the agricultural heritage on the island, hedge veg gets produce directly to the consumer with no middleman. They offer Jersey residents and visitors the opportunity to sample the best produce from nearby farmers and enjoy a true taste of Jersey. Tucked away along country lanes and on village roadsides, sample the most authentic flavours of the island with the freshest produce and the most delicious homemade goods.
What is Hedge Veg?
Hedge veg is an honesty box system available across Jersey. This traditional system of roadside stalls sells a wide variety of local produce, including fruit, vegetables, eggs and other items. The self-service system means that the hedge veg is always open with payment placed in a cash box, either of the full amount or an appropriate donation depending on the hedge veg stall. Hedge veg stalls of a larger scale or operated by larger farms often also accept a cashless payment.
This service, set up by locals and farmers, is so popular with Jersey residents that it has a map and a digital platform. The map is available online at hedgeveg.je and tells you the location of the stall, the produce sold and also whether cashless payments are accepted. The map also had a colour-coded indicator highlighting whether the produce sold at each stall is organic. You can also stay up to date with the products hedge veg stalls are selling, new hedge veg stalls that are popping up and other important information on the Jersey Honesty Box Page on Facebook.
The system supports local farms and the island’s dedication to sustainable practices by selling locally and reducing food mileage. It also reflects Jersey’s strong sense of community, trust and the connection of the locals to the land.
How Does Hedge Veg Work?
To find a hedge veg, you can access the map or digital platform to find one local to you. Alternatively, you can often find them whilst driving along country roads or wandering through nature trails. From the hedge veg, buyers take what they want or need and leave the correct payment in a cash box. If the stall accepts cashless payment, you can also pay by card or contactless.
The History of Hedge Veg
The island’s tradition of hedge veg comes from Jersey’s strong roots of farming heritage and close-knit rural communities. For generations, local families would place surplus crops and garden produce by the roadside for their neighbours to either take or buy through an honesty box system. It was simply a way of sharing excess seasonal produce so that it did not go to waste, but became a much-loved island custom. Over time, this simple tradition has grown into an expansive hedge veg system with local farmers also getting involved to sell their produce directly to the consumer. It has significant importance to the island’s farming identity and is a reflection of Jersey’s national values of trust and self-sufficiency. The popularity of hedge veg to this day highlights that both islanders and visitors value the personal, sustainable and uniquely local way of buying food of the finest quality.
Top Spots for Hedge Veg
No matter which hedge veg you stop by during your visit to Jersey, you are guaranteed to find exceptional quality produce that you will not be disappointed with. However, there are some hedge veg stalls that are above the rest for a range of reasons including variety, location and special touches.
Jersey Royals, St Ouen
Where better to purchase Jersey’s famous potatoes than directly from the farm that grows them? Selling direct to the consumer, you will not enjoy fresher and finer Jersey royals than those sold at the Jersey Royals hedge veg stall. In addition to the abundance of freshly-dug potatoes the stall sells, you can also purchase seasonal vegetables and flowers. Plus, with its roadside location just a few hundred metres from the La Braye slipway, this hedge veg has arguably one of the finest views, with a breathtaking coastal landscape.
Jersey Strawberries, St Lawrence
Strawberry picking has become an extremely popular summertime tradition, however, if you prefer for them to be picked for you, St Lawrence’s Jersey Strawberries stall is the next-best thing. The roadside stall can be found at La Hougette Farm on La Rue de St Jean, where farmer Joe Freire packs up punnets of freshly picked and beautifully plump strawberries. Not only can you purchase mouthwatering strawberries, you can also grab yourself a bunch of freshly picked flowers, including sunflowers and dahlias.
Didier Hellio’s Farm Stall, St Ouen
Overflowing with rustic charm, the Didier Hellio’s Farm Stall is one full of charm. Selling an exceptional variety of homegrown fruits and vegetables, the farm stall is a quick place to purchase without exploring the much larger Didier and Christine Hellio’s Farm Shop. Both from farming backgrounds, the couple have been married and working together for over 75 years, supplying their own farm shop, farm stall and the wider island community.
Me and the Farmer, St Brelade
One of the most unique roadside food stalls on the entire island is Me and the Farmer. Just past the turning point for St Brelade’s Bay, this trailer food stall is packed with local meat, including pork and sausages flavoured with local ingredients from farmer Jon Hackett’s rare breed saddleback pigs. In addition to the meat you can purchase, they also sell incredible pork pies, delicious sausage rolls and in the summertime, even homemade galettes.
Raf’s Shed, St Helier
Opened by 8 year old Raf five years ago, Raf’s Shed started out selling eggs from his family-owned chickens and kindling. The perfect place to grab a bag of kindling if you are camping on the island or enjoying accommodation with a delightful log burner, the shed also now sells Jersey royals supplied by the nearby CA Fazier’s field.
Sheep Shed Jersey, St Lawrence
Offering farming for everyone, Sheep Shed Jersey is the island’s one-stop destination for family farming opportunities. Known as the children’s farm, it offers pop-up play cafes, sustainable birthday parties, seasonal events and lambing opportunities. However, the first thing you see on arrival at Sheep Shed Jersey is their honesty box, selling eggs and some of the most beautiful seasonal floral arrangements.
Jersey Honey, St Lawrence and St John
Selling authentic Jersey honey from two roadside honesty boxes, Jersey Honey provides both honey and honeycomb at its hedge veg locations. The green honesty box can be found along Le Hucquet in St Lawrence, just outside of Romerils Willow Farm, whilst the blue honesty box can be found in St John along La Grand Route de Sainte-Jean close to Seamus Saddlery. In addition to paying cash, you can also make a payment for your purchase directly on the Jersey Honey website.
The Salvation Army Honesty Box, St Martin
Raising funds for and supporting the services of The Salvation Army, nothing is priced at this honesty box. If you can afford it, you are expected to pay an appropriate donation to support the efforts; however, locals can also take items for free if finances are stretched. The produce varies not only by season but day to day, and you can expect to find everything from Jersey royals to rhubarb and strawberries. It can be found at The Salvation Army Project Bumblebee near Mont Orgueil Castle and the Crab Shack.
Leoville Farm, St Ouen
If you are looking for vegetable variety, Leoville Farm has got you covered with different items in the honesty box every day. You can expect everything from Jersey royals and tomatoes to aubergines and butternut squash. Plus, the stall also regularly sells honey, eggs and lamb.
Bessie’s Bakes Jersey, St Martin
If you have more of a sweet tooth, Bessie’s Bakes is guaranteed to satisfy it and sells goods exclusively roadside. Regularly selling fudge, brookies and biscuits, the honesty stall also regularly has other homebaked goods available too, including cupcakes, brownies and jam. Located just up the road from the Rozel Campsite, payment is taken by cash, PayPal and Revolut.
Jersey Fine Tea, St Lawrence
Located at one of the tea gardens in St Lawrence, Jersey Fine Tea offers an off-grid honesty box selling the finest hand-harvested teas. Choose from a wide variety of teas to take home, enjoy the peace of the tea garden and pay conveniently with either cash or card.
Le Tacheron, Trinity
Famous for selling mouthwatering blueberries when in season, the Le Tacheron honesty box operates a ‘pay what you think it is worth’ system. Also selling a variety of incredible vegetables, you can find a real colour palette at this hedge veg. You can also follow them on Instagram @le.tacheron to stay up to date with the latest produce available in the honesty box.
