Red Tomato: Our Mission and Programs
Red Tomato's mission is connecting farmers and consumers through marketing, trade education – and a passionate belief that a family-farm, locally-based, ecological, fair trade food system is the way to a better tomato. Their primary work is getting regionally grown produce into grocery stores. We work closely with a network of growers across the Northeast to source the best possible produce the region can grow.
But beyond opening up the channels of buying and distribution on behalf of these growers, there is a lot more work to be done. To stay competitive in the wholesale market, farmers must constantly keep in mind market trends, potential regulations and changes in current regulations. Through dynamic information sharing among the farmers in the Red Tomato network and conversations with retail buyers, Red Tomato develops critical programs that maintain the competitive edge of farmers in their grower network.
Eco Program
In response to the tremendous difficulties of growing organic fruit in the Northeast, Red Tomato launched the Eco AppleTM program in 2004. This program uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) common-sense strategies to minimize the use of chemical applications on the farm. These practices include targeted mowing and pruning and the use of beneficial insects and mating disruption to control the population of pests. Apple growers in the program must follow a very advanced protocol, developed by Red Tomato and the IPM Institute of America and updated annually in collaboration with scientists and growers.
In 2010, Red Tomato, the IPM Institute of America, and the University of Connecticut Extension expanded the eco program to include Eco Stone Fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots). This year, the organizations are marketing stone fruit, and are working to expand the eco program to other crops as the science and funding becomes available.
Keep an eye out for Red Tomato products where you shop. For more information, please visit http://www.redtomato.org/