Save the canning for September and enter your family heirlooms at the
Massachusetts State Tomato Contest!
The 29th Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest will be held at Boston City Hall Plaza Farmers’ Market on Monday, August 19th in conjunction with the start of Massachusetts Farmers’ Market Week. Tomatoes will be judged by a panel of experts on flavor, firmness/slicing quality, exterior color and shape. The event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers Markets.
If you cannot attend the contest on Monday, tomato entries can be dropped off Saturday August 17th or Sunday, August 18th at a number of locations across the state. Tomatoes that are dropped off will be brought to Boston for judging. In Southeastern Massachusetts contact Silverbrook Farm, 508-991-5185, 592 Chase Rd, Dartmouth.
First, second, and third place tomato trophies will be awarded in each category as well as Top 5 certificates for each category. Don't have a tomato to enter? No problem - plan a fun trip into the city and enjoy a summer field trip. Remember, Agricultural Literacy is only one slice of Ecological Awareness...
While the gardens of July and August fill our baskets with produce and our days with work - don't forget to plan for that late summer crop. Next week's Tomato Contest is just an appetizer as Massachusetts growers ramp up for Fall Harvest Fairs all over the state! NRT at Sheep Pasture will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary Harvest and Craft Fair with Easton Grange #196 sponsoring the vegetable judging. Be sure to plan for those special items that may win you a blue ribbon faster than a blue plate special. Stay tuned for more details and in the mean time - keep the veggies growin' and the good times comin'!
For more information on the Tomato Contest, please contact David Webber, 617-626-1754, David.Webber@state.ma.us
