Social hitorian Peter Brehaut brought in a reminder of one of Guernsey's formally dominant industries: tomato growing.
The Isle O'Sun chip basket was first introduced in 1953 and was used to export 'Guernsey toms' to the UK. At that time the tomato industry was Guernsey's economic mainstay, employing thousands of people, both in growing and in associated trades. The Isle O'Sun logo was used by the Guernsey Tomato Marketing Board, an organisation founded in 1952 to oversee the marketing of all Guernsey tomatoes to more than 150 markets throughout the UK. Prior to this, each grower could send tomatoes to whichever market they chose. In 1961 the 'chip' was superseded by the 'Dutch Tray'. By this time, millions of 'chips' had found their way to the UK, the busiest week being the week ending 11 June 1955 when 793,966 chip baskets were exported.
Share this link: