Massachusetts Tomato Contest Draws 135 Entries
Farmers from North Easton, Concord, Hardwick, Sharon and Pepperell take top honors at 30th annual event
BOSTON – Monday, August 18, 2014 – Massachusetts environmental officials joined tomato farmers from across the state at the Boston Public Market today for the 30th Annual Tomato Contest. A highlight of the summer harvest season, this year's contest drew 135 entries in categories including field tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom varieties and heaviest tomato.
“The Patrick Administration has helped the agriculture industry grow by investing millions into preserving farmland and teaching valuable business and technical skills to our farmers,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Undersecretary for Environment Martin Suuberg. “Today we celebrate the fresh produce that millions across the Commonwealth can enjoy, while at the same time support the farmers in their communities.”
Entries were judged by a panel of food writers, chefs, produce experts and state officials on flavor, firmness, exterior color and shape. Top prizes went to farmers from North Easton, Concord, Hardwick, Sharon and Pepperell. A full list of contest winters is attached.
“Today is a celebration of the harvest season and our dedicated farmers here in the Commonwealth," said Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Gregory Watson. “The tomatoes brought to Boston were the result of months of our growers’ hard work and care.”
Of the more than 7,700 farms in Massachusetts, 759 annually produce more than 8.5 million pounds of tomatoes on 685 acres with a value of approximately $17 million. The Patrick Administration is committed to growing the agriculture economy. More than $55 million has been invested in the APR program, resulting in the permanent protection of more than 180 farms and more than 10,000 acres. In addition, $7 million has been put towards farmer training, business development, on-farm energy efficiency and more. The Commonwealth has also launched one of the nation’s first state-funded urban farming initiatives, ranks fifth in the nation for direct market sales, hosts 134 farmers’ markets that accept SNAP and since 2007 has seen a 95 percent increase in Community Supported Agriculture and growth in agri-tourism sales of 127 percent.
In addition to the presentation of awards, today's event included tomato tasting and recipe demonstrations, as well as information on nutrition and local farms. The contest was hosted by the Boston Public Market Association and is sponsored by DAR, the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers' Markets.
2014 Massachusetts Tomato Contest Winners
|
Slicing Category
| ||||||||
Farm Name
|
Town
|
Variety
|
Place
| |||||
Langwater Farm
|
N. Easton
|
BHN 589
|
1
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Belgium
|
2
| |||||
Langwater Farm
|
N. Easton
|
BHN 1021
|
3
| |||||
Brox Farm
|
Dracut
|
Applause
|
4
| |||||
MacArthur Farm
|
Holliston
|
Tomomaro Muchu
|
5
| |||||
Ward's Berry Farm
|
Sharon
|
Scarlet Red
|
6
| |||||
MacArthur Farm
|
Holliston
|
Geronimo
|
7
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Mountain Magesty
|
8
| |||||
Kimball Fruit Farm
|
Pepperell
|
Sunbrite
|
9
| |||||
East Street Farm
|
Tewksbury
|
BHN 961
|
10
| |||||
Cherry Category
| ||||||||
Farm Name
|
Town
|
Variety
|
Place
| |||||
Still Life Farm
|
Hardwick
|
Orange Sun Sugar
|
1
| |||||
Langwater Farm
|
N. Easton
|
Sungold
|
2
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Sunpeach
|
3
| |||||
Frietas Farm
|
Middleboro
|
Sungold
|
4
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Sungold
|
5
| |||||
Verrill Farm
|
Concord
|
Sungold
|
6
| |||||
Idlywilde Farm
|
Acton
|
Strawberry Husk
|
7
| |||||
Frietas Farm
|
Middleboro
|
BHN 968
|
8
| |||||
Farmer Daves
|
Dracut
|
Sungold
|
9
| |||||
Ward's Berry Farm
|
Sharon
|
Sweet 100
|
10
| |||||
Heirloom Category
| ||||||||
Farm Name
|
Town
|
Variety
|
Place
| |||||
Langwater Farm
|
N. Easton
|
Striped German
|
1
| |||||
Verrill Farm
|
Concord
|
Brandywine
|
2
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Mr. Stripey
|
3
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Pondarosa Pink
|
4
| |||||
Farmer Dave's
|
Dracut
|
Cherokee Purple
|
5
| |||||
Kimball Fruit Farm
|
Pepperell
|
Aussie
|
6
| |||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Macone Farm
|
7
| |||||
Red Fire Farm
|
Granby
|
Granny Cantrell's German Pink
|
8
| |||||
MacArthur Farm
|
Holliston
|
Arkansas Traveler
|
9
| |||||
Farmer Dave's
|
Dracut
|
Striped German
|
10
| |||||
Heaviest Category
| ||||||||
Farm Name
|
Town
|
Variety
|
Weight
|
Place
| ||||
Verrill Farm
|
Concord
|
Aussie
|
2.785
|
1
| ||||
Ward's Berry Farm
|
Sharon
|
Church
|
2.635
|
2
| ||||
Kimball Fruit Farm
|
Pepperell
|
Virginia Sweet
|
2.460
|
3
| ||||
Red Fire Farm
|
Montague
|
Striped German
|
2.450
|
4
| ||||
Macone Farm
|
Concord
|
Mr. Stripey
|
2.425
|
5
| ||||
Langwater Farm
|
N. Easton
|
Mortgage Lifter
|
2.365
|
6
| ||||
Silverbrook Farm
|
Dartmouth
|
Pineapple
|
2.340
|
7
| ||||
E. Cecchi Farms
|
Feeding Hills
|
Hillbilly
|
2.180
|
8
| ||||
Clark Farm
|
Danvers
|
Striped German
|
2.045
|
9
| ||||
Farmer Dave's
|
Dracut
|
BHN 961
|
1.905
|
10
| ||||
