Massachusetts Tomato Festival Draws 72 Entries

BOSTON - Despite a challenging season for tomato growers, dozens of tomato farmers from around the Bay State converged on City Hall Plaza today to show off the fruits of their labors in the Commonwealth's 25 ^th Annual Tomato Festival. A highlight of the kickoff celebration for Massachusetts Farmers' Markets Week, this year's festival drew 72 entries.

Top prizes went to Concord's Macone Farm (Slicing and heirloom), Granby's Red Fire Farm (Cherry), and Pepperell's Kimball Fruit Farm (heaviest). A full list of contest winners is attached. Entries were judged by a panel of food writers, chefs, cookbook authors, grocers, state officials and gardening experts.

"The nearly 200 farmers' markets throughout the Commonwealth are a vital part of our state's culture and tradition," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. "With farmers' markets, roadside stands, and pick-your-own farms, consumers can access fresh, local fruits and vegetables, while supporting the Massachusetts agriculture industry at the same time."

Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Scott Soares began the award ceremony by reading Gov. Deval Patrick's proclamation declaring August 16 through 22 Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week, and praising hard-working Massachusetts farmers for supplying citizens throughout the Commonwealth with local goods, despite the weather-related farming challenges this summer.

"This year we have seen some very unusual weather patterns which have certainly had an impact on this season's tomato crop," said Commissioner Soares. "But we are also still seeing a good supply of healthy tomatoes that made for a stiff competition at this year's tomato contest."

In addition to presentation of awards, today's Tomato Festival included tomato tasting, recipes, and information on nutrition and local farms. The festival and contest are sponsored by the DAR, New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, and Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, in cooperation with the City of Boston Property Management Department.

The list of this year's winners is below.

Massachusetts Tomato Contest Winners, 2009
SLICING CATEGORY
Entry		Farm Name		Town		Variety		Place
18		Macone Farm		Concord		Orange Blossom		1
1		Volante Farms		Needham		Early Girl		2
21		Ward's Berry Farm		Sharon		Tommande		3
13		MacArthur Farm		Holliston		Trust		4
2		Red Fire Farm		Granby		Buffalo		5
10		Noquochoke Orchards		Westport		Lemon Drop		6
17		Macone Farm		Concord		Scarlet		7
5		Cape Abilities		Hyannis		Trust 2		8
9		Kimball Fruit Farm		Pepperell		Sunbrite		9
14		MacArthur Farm		Holliston		Caruso		10
CHERRY CATEGORY
Entry		Farm Name		Town		Variety		Place
2		Red Fire Farm		Granby		Sungold		1
6		Freitas Farm		Middleboro		Supersweet 100		2
14		Connors Farm		Danvers		Sweet Million		3
4		Wilson Farm		Lexington		Sungold		4
20		Verrill Farm		Concord		Sungold		5
3		Red Fire Farm		Granby		Supersweet 100		6
7		Kimball Fruit Farm		Pepperell		Sun Sugar		7
1		Silvermine Farm		Sutton		Sweet 100		8
13		Connors Farm		Danvers		Golden Honey		9
5		Freitas Farm		Middleboro		Sungold		10
HEIRLOOM CATEGORY
Entry		Farm Name		Town		Variety		Place
13		Macone Farm		Concord		Macone Farm non-a		1
14		Verrill Farm		Concord		Carbon		2
9		Farmer Dave's at Brox Farm		Dracut		Brandywine		3
19		Ward's Berry Farm		Sharon		Paul Roman		4
15		Verrill Farm		Concord		Moskvitch		5
2		Red Fire Farm		Granby		Cherokee Purple		6
17		Ward's Berry Farm		Sharon		Evergreen		7
5		Cape Abilities		Hyannis		Cherokee Purple		8
8		Kimball Fruit Farm		Pepperell		Carbon		9
16		Verrill Farm		Concord		Black Prince		10
HEAVIEST
4	Kimball Fruit Farm		Pepperell		Big Rasberry		2.25		1
9	Verrill Farm		Concord		Aussie		1.95		2
1	Red Fire Farm		Granby		Striped German		1.71		3
8	Macone Farm		Concord		Macone Farm non-a		1.45		4
5	Farmer Dave's at Brox Farm		Dracut		Brandywine		1.38		5
2	Cape Abilities		Hyannis		Brandywine		1.37		6
6	East Street Farm Stand		Tewksbury		Sunstart		1.29		7
7	Connors Farm		Danvers		Big Beef		1.12		8

The DAR's mission is to ensure the long-term viability of local agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions - Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Technical Assistance - the DAR strives to support, regulate, and enhance the Commonwealth's agricultural community, working to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture's role in energy conservation and production.