Please join the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for the 31st annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest on Thursday, August 20 from 9:30 – 2 at the Kitchen in the new Boston Public Market.

Tomatoes from farmers across Massachusetts will be judged by a panel of experts on flavor, firmness/slicing quality, exterior color and shape. Categories include field tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom varieties and weight. The contest will be judged by a panel of food writers, chefs, cookbook authors, produce experts and state officials.

The contest is sponsored by the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Mass Farmers’ Markets and hosted by the Trustees’ Kitchen at the Boston Public Market. This friendly contest is open to commercial tomato growers and is designed to increase consumer’s awareness of local agriculture.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions – Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, and Crop and Pest Services – MDAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production.  For more information visit http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/greater-boston/bpm-1006.html.