MDAR Commissioner Lebeaux with Kimball Fruit Farms, which placed 1st 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 36th 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:

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

Cherry Category:

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

Heirloom Category:

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

Heaviest Category:

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