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24th Annual Massachusetts
Tomato Contest 2008

Massachusetts commercial tomato growers:

Please join us for the 24th annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest. This year's tomato contest will be held at the Boston City Hall Plaza Farmers' Market, on Monday, August 18, 2008.

The event is sponsored by the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. This friendly contest is designed to increase consumer awareness of local agriculture.

If you cannot attend the contest on Monday, tomato entries can be dropped off Saturday August 16th or Sunday, August 17th at one of the locations below. Please contact one of the following representatives to confirm drop-off entry(s). Tomatoes that are dropped off will be brought to Boston for judging.

Drop-off Locations

***Please submit a registration form with entries*** [PDF]

Northeastern Massachusets:

• Wilson Farm,
  (781) 862-3900
  10 Pleasan St., Lexington

Southeastern Massachusetts:

• Silverbrook Farm
  (508) 991-5185
  592 Chase Rd., Dartmouth

Central Massachusetts:

• Stillman Farm (978) 537-3342
  1399 Lancaster Ave., Lunenburg

• Silvermine Farm
  (508) 865-5335
  96 Eight Lots Rd., Sutton

Western Massachusetts:

• Randall's Farm - (413) 589-7071
  631 Center Street, Ludlow

For more information on the Tomato Contest, please contact:

David Webber
(617) 626-1754
David.Webber@state.ma.us

Download the registration form [PDF]

Schedule of Events

• 9:00 am to 10:15 am - Tomato drop-off and registration
• 10:30 am - Judging of tomatoes by panel of experts
• 12:30 pm- Presentation of awards

Tomato Contest Criteria

Flavor: 10 points possible. The perfect tomato should have a strong tomato taste, be slightly acidic, juicy and fresh tasting with a tender skin.

Firmness/Slicing Quality: 5 points possible. A desirable tomato should have a dense uniform thick wall with many seed cavities, completely filled with a jelly-like mass. The firmness of the tomato should be such that it will bruise if dropped, yet is not over-ripe or soft.

Exterior Color: 5 points possible The winning tomato has a uniform color, is free of green shoulders and has no evidence of blotchy ripening.

Shape: 5 points possible Tomatoes come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the variety. Their shape should be symmetrical, but most important, the tomatoes in each entry should be uniform in size.

PRIZES:

First, second, and third place tomato trophies will be awarded in all four categories. Top 5 certificates will also be given in each category.