Tomato Growers to Meet, Consider Association to Promote Industry

Tennessee tomato growers have the opportunity to help build a foundation for their industry’s future at a number of scheduled meetings across the state.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has been granted federal Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) funds to launch the Tennessee Tomato Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to provide growers necessary information to determine if a grower-owned organization can increase national recognition and markets for Tennessee tomatoes. The growers will decide by vote in May.

Stanley Trout, consultant for the statewide initiative, will host three regional meetings to discuss the benefits of forming a statewide growers association. “The goal of the association would be better promotion of the Tennessee tomato as a brand with inherent qualities, in much the same way that Vidalia onions are promoted,” Trout said.