Massachusetts Tomato Contest Draws 84 Entries

BOSTON – Monday, August 20, 2012 – Tomato farmers from across the state converged on City Hall Plaza today to display the fruits of their labor at the Commonwealth's 28th Annual Tomato Contest. A highlight of the kickoff celebration for Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week, this year's festival drew 84 entries.

Top prizes went to E. Cecchi Farms of Feeding Hills, Kimball Fruit Farm of Pepperell and Red Fire Farm of Granby. A full list of contest winners is attached. Entries were judged by a panel of food writers, chefs, cookbook authors, produce experts and state officials.

“Each year, tomato growers come together for a friendly competition, celebrating one of the season’s most anticipated crops. Local tomatoes and other produce are at their peak availability right now at farmers' markets and roadside stands across the state," said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Gregory C. Watson, who kicked off today’s event by reading the Patrick-Murray Administration's proclamation declaring August 19-25 as Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week.

There are 532 farms in the Bay State that each year produce more than 5.4 million pounds of tomatoes with a value of $10.8 million.

In addition to the presentation of awards, today's Tomato Festival included tomato tasting, recipe demonstrations and information on nutrition and local farms. The festival and contest are sponsored by DAR, the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, Mass Farmers' Markets and The Boston Public Market Association.

Massachusetts Tomato Contest Winners, 2012

SLICING CATEGORY

CHERRY CATEGORY

HEIRLOOM CATEGORY

HEAVIEST

DAR's mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions - Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, and Crop and Pest Services - DAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth's agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture's role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit DAR's website at www.mass.gov/agr, and/or follow at twitter.com/MDARcommish.

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