tomato season

It’s June and around here, that means it is tomato season!

If you have been tolerating mealy, flavorless grocery store tomatoes all winter, you are probably more than ready to start celebrating tomato season.

Fresh, juicy and delicious, the humble tomato is a staple in many cuisines and its flexible and able to be used in all kinds of dishes. But what do you know about tomatoes?

Since it is tomato season, here are some fast facts about summer’s perfect food.

  • Tomatoes are a fruit – not a vegetable!
  • Tomatoes can come in all different colors – not just red. You can find purple, yellow, black, pink, green and even white tomatoes!
  • Tomatoes are believed to have originated in South America – possibly Peru.
  • There is a festival in Spain where people throw tomatoes at each other called La Tomatina.
  • Tomato juice is the official state drink of Ohio and the official state vegetable of New Jersey!
  • Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which helps the heart and can help prevent some kinds of cancer. They also contain vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and calcium!
  • China is the largest producer of tomatoes globally, followed by the US and India.
  • Tomatoes are mostly made up of water.
  • Tomatoes are members of the Nightshade plant family (think potatoes, tobacco, chili peppers).
  • If you store tomatoes stem down, they last longer!
  • The average American eats about 24 pounds of tomatoes annually.
  • In America, more than 90% of home gardeners grow tomatoes.
  • DYK: If you store unripened tomatoes with apples, they will ripen faster? It’s true! Ethylene gas released by the apples help the process along.
  • Don’t refrigerate your tomatoes – it can impact flavor and texture.

Fresh Forward

At Fresh Forward, feeding families is our passion. We work with local farmers to get the best, and freshest, produce on your family’s table. Ask your favorite grocery store, farm stand or produce market to carry Fresh Forward products.

Learn more about the Fresh Forward mission here.