State Agricultural Officials Announce Winners of 2021 Massachusetts Tomato Contest

MDAR Commissioner Lebeaux with Kimball Fruit Farms, which placed 1^st place for heaviest tomato at the 2021 Massachusetts Tomato Contest.

Today, Massachusetts agricultural officials joined tomato farmers from across the state on the plaza of the Boston Public Market for the Commonwealth’s 36^th Annual Tomato Contest. Designed to increase awareness of locally grown produce, this year’s contest drew 77 entries from 15 farms across the state. The contest is sponsored by MDAR, the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers’ Markets and was hosted by the Boston Public Market Association.

“We are fortunate in the Commonwealth that farmers grow dozens of varieties of one of the most anticipated and popular crops of the season — tomatoes,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux. “The annual tomato contest celebrates this delicious summertime favorite and allows us to highlight the hardworking farmers who grow them every year.”

After the entries were judged by a panel of food writers, chefs, produce experts, and state officials on flavor, firmness/slicing quality, exterior color, and shape, MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux announced that the top prizes went to farmers from the City of Agawam, and the Towns of Montague, Raynham, and Pepperell.

“The Boston Public Market is thrilled to host the return of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Tomato Contest – a celebration of a bountiful season that we eagerly anticipate each year,” said Cheryl Cronin, CEO of the Boston Public Market. “Now more than ever, as the Market strives forward in our mission to support New England producers, we’re proud to honor the hard work, dedication, and the fruits of the labor of our local farmers.”

Of the 7,241 farms in Massachusetts, 517 farms annually produce more than 6.3 million pounds of tomatoes on 569 acres of land with a value of approximately $13.89 million. An additional 16.8 acres of tomatoes are grown in greenhouses with an approximate value of $4.1 million. Consumers can find farmers’ markets, farm stands and other opportunities to buy local produce here.

The 2021 Massachusetts Tomato Contest winners are:

Slicing Category:

• 1^st Place – E Cecchi Farms in the City of Agawam’s Feeding Hills neighborhood with a BHN872 tomato.
• 2^nd Place – Langwater Farm in the Town of Easton.
• 3^rd Place – Ward’s Berry Farm in the Town of Sharon.
• 4^th Place – Langwater Farm in the Town of Easton.
• 5^th Place –  E Cecchi Farms in the City of Agawam’s Feeding Hills neighborhood.

Cherry Category:

• 1^st Place – Red Fire Farm in the Town of Montague with a chocolate cherry tomato.
• 2^nd Place – Red Fire Farm in the Town of Montague.
• 3^rd Place – Greenhouse By the Sea in the Town of Orleans.
• 4^th Place – E Cecchi Farms in the City of Agawam’s Feeding Hills neighborhood.
• 5^th Place – E Cecchi Farms in the City of Agawam’s Feeding Hills neighborhood.

Heirloom Category:

• 1^st Place – Freedom Food Farm in the Town of Raynham with a moonglow tomato.
• 2^nd Place – E Cecchi Farms in the City of Agawam’s Feeding Hills neighborhood.
• 3^rd Place – Russell Orchards in the Town of Ipswich.
• 4^th Place – Langwater Farm in the Town of Easton.
• 5^th Place – Anawan Farm in the Town of Rehoboth.

Heaviest Category:

• 1^st Place – Kimball Fruit Farm in the Town of Pepperell with a pineapple tomato weighing 2.550 pounds.
• 2^nd Place – C & C Reading in the Town of West Bridgewater.
• 3^rd Place – Sienna Farms in the Town of Sudbury.
• 4^th Place –  Ward’s Berry Farm in the Town of Sharon.
• 5^th Place – E Cecchi Farms in the City of Agawam’s Feeding Hills neighborhood.