Having a large presence within the Channel Islands we represent a large proportion of the community, employing a workforce of just over 1,000 Channel Islanders. With this being the case we take every advantage to support many various schemes and organisations that affect and aid the local community. Below are details of a selection of our endeavours:
The Channel Islands Co-operative Society states in its Aim and Values that we want "To play a meaningful role in the community, especially in charity and environmental matters".
The Society aims to help and support as many local charities and organisation in a number of ways:
During a typical year the Society will donate to over 300 organisations, and allow over 100 charities to collect outside our stores or bag pack at our tills.
Click here to download our Charity & Sponsorship leaflet
Click here to view
our Co-operative Giving Section
The Society organises a number of specific events each year:
Helping Hands
This scheme is designed to provide practical help to charities and organisations running in January each year, by providing funds which organisations can apply for. The Helping Hands scheme gave away £16,500 in 2011 to 43 different charities.
The Society has placed collection boxes in our stores, to enable customers to donate any unwanted double dividend stamps. These donations are then used to support local organisations who apply for funds. (Double Dividend stamps can only be donated by members.)
Carrier Bag Environmental Fund
In 2008 the Society introduced a 5p charge for the one trip carrier bag, in an attempt to reduce the number of bags used. During the first year of introduction we saw a reduction of 90% in the use of these bags.
The funds raised through a combination of the 5p charge and the actual reduction in the amount of bags used, has been put into an environmental fund which the Society distribute each year to local environmental initiatives.
Bag Packing / Collections / In Store Collection Boxes
If your organisation is trying to raise funds, why not organise a bag pack or charity collection at one of our stores or apply to have collection boxes in stores. Space is limited so please apply as far in advance as possible, either via email or in writing, to:
Kim Forbes, Marketing Assistant
Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd
Co-operative House
57 Don Street
St Helier
Jersey
JE2 4TR
Email: kim.forbes@channelislands.coop
Staff Fund Raising
Each year our staff organise numerous fund raising events, from Help a Jersey Child to Children in Need. We are very proud of our staff, for there efforts and in a typical year, raise over £35,000.
Corporate Sponsorship
The Society also plays a considerable role in the community through corporate sponsorship programs.
Over the past years the Society has provided support for a number of organisations including:
Total Sport Half Marathon
Child Safety Week
Fair Trade Fortnight Jersey & Guernsey
West Show Jersey & Guernsey
Guernsey Rotary Young Chef of the Year Competition
Heritage Trust Jersey
Health Promotion Unit Jersey & Guernsey
Children in Need Jersey & Guernsey
Football Clubs Jersey & Guernsey
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Jersey
Hospice Jersey & Guernsey
G Can Guernsey
Women's Institute
Help a Jersey Child
Help a Guernsey Child
NSPCC
The Multiple Sclerosis Society
To apply for any of the schemes please write to:
Jim Plumley, Chief Commercial Officer
Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd
Co-operative House
57 Don Street
St Helier
Jersey
JE2 4TR
Genuine Jersey
For a small Island Jersey boasts an incredible variety of world-class produce and is, of course, famous throughout the world for its own breed of cow, superior quality milk, the prized Jersey Royal and an abundance of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Genuine Jersey is a non profit making association created to generate awareness, amongst residents and visitors alike, of those goods which have such a significantly strong Jersey content to be regarded as 'genuinely local'. It is important to support our local farming and fishing industries as buying local food products has many benefits for Jersey:
Eat seasonally. Nothing tastes better than the first Jersey Royals or strawberries of the season. Fresh seasonal local food is likely to be fresher and more flavoursome than food shipped long distances from other countries.
Support local agriculture. Supporting the local farming industry ensures that the Island's characteristic landscape continues to be preserved and that the industry remains sustainable.
Reduce food miles. 'Food miles' are the distance food travels from where it was grown or raised, through the distribution process before finally ending up in your shopping trolley. Buying local seasonal produce reduces carbon dioxide emissions, packaging materials and waste.
Preserve the environment. Buying local and fresh produce means we can reduce excessive and expensive packaging - all you need is a shopping bag or basket! Good farming methods also help preserve the natural environment.
Support the local economy. What better way to support the local economy than to buy Genuine Jersey goods from your local Co-Operative store? The Channel Islands Co-Operative Society makes sure your money goes back into supporting the local farming and fishing industries.
Provenance - traceability. Wouldn't you like to know that the hen which laid your eggs led a happy life or that your pig was well fed? Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to make informed choices about the origins of your food.
To support our local farming and fishing industries, buy goods that carry the Genuine Jersey Mark.
The Channel Islands Co-Operative Society supports local agriculture and fishing by supplying the following product ranges, many of whom are members of the Genuine Jersey Products Association:
Dairy
Classic Herd - Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Ice Cream, Butter and
Cream
Happy Hens - Eggs
Jersey Dairy - Milk, Yogurt, Crème Fraiche, Ice Cream, Butter and
Cream
St Lawrence growers - Eggs
Produce
Amal-Grow Produce - Root Vegetables, Greens and Lettuce
Didier Hellio - Vegetables and Potatoes
Farm Fresh Organics - Organic Vegetables
Fauvic Nurseries - Herbs
Joe Freire - Strawberries
La Chasse Nurseries - Strawberries
Three Oaks Vineries - Tomatoes, Peppers, Jersey Royal New Potatoes,
Cucumbers, Courgettes and Aubergines
Vermont Farm - Organic Produce
Ambient
La Mare Wine Estates - Preserves
Bernie Morel - Honey
Alcohol
La Robeline Cider Co.
La Mare Wine Estates - Wine, Brandy, Cider and Liquor,
Jersey Brewery - Mary Ann Beers and Liberation Ale
Other
Jersey Pottery - Ceramics
Lucas Brothers - Flowers
Click here
to download our Genuine Jersey leaflet
For more information, please write to:
John Garton
Chief Executive Officer
Genuine Jersey Products Association
Liberation Place
St Helier
JERSEY
JE1 1BB
Guernsey Growers' Association
Guernsey boasts the bountiful combination of a warm climate and good soil to allow a wide and healthy selection of produce to grow locally. From cucumbers to cut flowers to garlic, the variety of local produce available is incredible for such a small island.
Buying local Guernsey grown produce supports the local economy, preserves the environment, reduces food miles and ensures that you know where your food comes from. The Guernsey Growers' Association (GGA) is the voice of Guernsey Growers and was formed in 1894 "to watch over and protect in every possible manner, the interests of all Growers".
GGA's involvement with The Channel Islands Co-operative Society has meant that the Society has been able to support and encourage Guernsey Growers, generating a resurgence of interest in buying good quality locally produced food.
To ensure that you are buying local produce look for the "Guernsey Grown" label. The following members of The Guernsey Growers' Association supply The Co-operative Society:
P K & M Bewey - Soft Fruit
Ken Giles - Soft Fruit
Terry Robert - Vegetables and Salad Crops
David Cowley - Potatoes
Fresh Guernsey Herbs Ltd. - Herbs and Salad Bags
Guernsey Mushroom Growers Ltd. - Button, Top and Flat
Mushrooms
Guernsey Organic Growers - Organic Produce
B R Langlois & Sons Ltd. - Aubergines and Peppers
Nicholson Bros. - Cucumbers and Tomatoes
Riverside Vineries Ltd. - Organic Produce
Nigel Clark - Garlic
L G Dorey & Son - Pumpkins and String Onions
Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd. - Plants
Mrs C A Cloarec - Guernsey Flower Bouquets
Mr D H Falla - Poinsettias
Click
here to download our Guernsey Growers leaflet
For more information on the Guernsey Growers' Association please
write to:
Guernsey Growers' Association
Landes du Marche,
Vale,
Guernsey
GY6 8DE
