Farmers from across Massachusetts competed in the 35th Annual Tomato Contest held at Boston Public Market’s KITCHEN in Haymarket Square, Boston on Tuesday, August 28, 2019.
This year’s contest drew 82 entries from 18 farms across the Commonwealth. Farmers from Holliston, Raynham, Sudbury and Pepperell won the top prizes.
Designed to increase consumer’s awareness of local agriculture, the Tomato Contest is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers’ Markets and hosted by the Boston Public Market Association and the Trustees of Reservations.
MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux called the annual contest “a highlight of the summer growing season, providing growers across the Commonwealth the opportunity to showcase the delicious tomato varieties grown in Massachusetts. I encourage all residents to visit their local farmers’ market or farm stand to find local, high-quality tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables at their peak.”
All Massachusetts commercial tomato growers were eligible to submit their tomatoes, which were judged on four criteria: flavor, firmness/slicing quality, exterior color and shape.
The panel of judges included food writers, chefs, produce experts and state officials. Commissioner Lebeaux presented 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies to all of the winners, and certificates to the top five in each category.
In addition to the presentation of awards, the Tomato Contest included a Healthy Cooking Demonstration by UMass Extension and tomato tasting.
Boston Public Market CEO Cheryl Cronin said, “At the Boston Public Market, we look forward to tomato season all year long and we’re thrilled to work with MDAR to host the Tomato Contest again this year. Our mission is to support New England producers and provide fresh healthy food to consumers. We’re honored to host the best of our state in this competition, as they showcase the fruits of their labor.”
KITCHEN Education & Operations Manager Cleo Bell said, “As the chef-educator at The KITCHEN, I enjoy teaching people how to cook with the incredible local tomatoes we have received this summer at Boston Public Market.”
Of the 7,241 farms in Massachusetts, 517 farms annually produce more than 7.3 million pounds of tomatoes on 569 acres with a value of approximately $13.6 million. Consumers can find farmers’ markets, farm stands and other opportunities to buy local produce here.
2019 Massachusetts Tomato Contest Winners:
Slicing Category
| Place | Farm Name | Town | Variety |
| 1 | MacArthur Farm | Holliston | Tomimaru Muchoo |
| 2 | Ward’s Berry Farm | Sharon | BHN 964 |
| 3 | MacArthur Farm | Holliston | Trust |
| 4 | Langwater Farm | N. Easton | BHN 589 |
| 5 | Langwater Farm | N. Easton | BHN 1021 |
| 6 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Big Beef |
| 7 | C & C Reading Farm | West Bridgewater | Big Beef |
| 8 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Indigo Blue Beauty |
| 9 | Freedom Food Farm | Raynham | Geronimo |
| 10 | Bristol County Ag High School | Dighton | 4th of July |
Cherry Category
| Place | Farm Name | Town | Variety |
| 1 | Freedom Food Farm | Raynham | Esteria |
| 2 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Sungold |
| 3 | Freedom Food Farm | Raynham | Montesino |
| 4 | Langwater Farm | N. Easton | Sunsugar |
| 5 | Under the Sun | N. Dighton | Sungold |
| 6 | Bristol County Ag High School | Dighton | Black Cherry |
| 7 | Langwater Farm | N. Easton | Braveheart |
| 8 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Lizzibelle |
| 9 | Ward’s Berry Farm | Sharon | Rojita |
| 10 | Cape Abilities Farm | Dennis | Saduka |
Heirloom Category
| Place | Farm Name | Town | Variety |
| 1 | Sienna Farms | Sudbury | Brandywine |
| 2 | Ward’s Berry Farm | Sharon | Arkansas Traveler |
| 3 | Ward’s Berry Farm | Sharon | Paul Robeson |
| 4 | MacArthur Farm | Holliston | Yellow Brandywine |
| 5 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Aussie |
| 6 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Mortgage Lifter |
| 7 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Marvel Stripe |
| 8 | Sienna Farms | Sudbury | Striped German |
| 9 | Revision Urban Farm | Boston | Cherokee Green |
| 10 | Langwater Farm | N. Easton | Cherokee Green |
Heaviest Category
| Place | Farm Name | Town | Variety | Weight |
| 1 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Aussie | 2.126 |
| 2 | Five College Farms | Hadley | Striped German | 2.095 |
| 3 | Ward’s Berry Farm | Sharon | Striped German | 2.070 |
| 4 | Langwater Farm | N. Easton | Striped German | 2.041 |
| 5 | Hannan Agro Farms | Beverly | Yellow Brandywine | 2.009 |
| 6 | Rota Spring Farm | Sterling | Pineapple | 2.008 |
| 7 | C & C Reading Farm | West Bridgewater | Beef Master | 1.157 |
| 8 | Farmer Dave’s | Dracut | Brandywine | 1.132 |
| 9 | Sienna Farms | Sudbury | Striped German | 1.131 |
| 10 | Freedom Food Farm | Raynham | Striped German | 1.111 |
| 11 | Revision Urban Farm | Boston | Brandywine | 1.031 |