The Franklin Farmers Market held its 8th annual Tomato Festival on Saturday, July 14th amid a vibrant crowd. Children were entertained with two bouncy houses, kids games, Magda the Storyspider and face painting. But our local farmers weren’t interested in face painting; they were ready to compete in what has become the bragging right for the year- the best tasting tomato! Visit this link for all the photos of the Tomato Festival.
Market customers cast ballots and chose the best tasting tomato in a blind taste test of samples from each farmer. With over eleven farms at the market with homegrown tomatoes, from heirloom to standard, slicing and cherry tomatoes, it was hard for customers to choose just one!
The contest was divided into two categories: Heirloom Tomatoes and Standard Tomatoes. The term heirloom is given to the variety of tomato seed that is fifty or more years old. Some heirloom varieties are as much as $1 per seed! The term standard is given to hybrid varieties of tomatoes, grown for their commercially attractive characteristics. Heirloom tomatoes can’t be found in a typical grocery store because they do not ship well. They typically have softer skin and are best eaten within a day of harvest. Whether you like heirloom or standard tomatoes for your BLT’s and salads, you won’t find another market in the middle TN area with the largest selection of homegrown tomatoes. At the Franklin Farmers Market you can try a new variety that can’t be found in a box store and talk with the farmer who grew it.
After hundreds of ballots were cast by our market customers, the decision was made and our winners are:
Best Tasting Heirloom Tomato Winners:
1st Place- Beaverdam Creek Farm
2nd Place- Bloomsbury Farm
3rd Place-Colbert Farm
1st Place Best Tasting Heirloom Tomato winners Trish & Phillip Lingo of Beaverdam Creek Farm
Best Tasting Standard Tomato Winners:
1st Place- Colbert Farm
2nd Place- Norton Family Farm
3rd Place- Delvin Farms
1st Place Winners Lindsey and Tim Colbert of Colbert Farm for Best Tasting Standard Tomato of the Franklin Tomato Festival
The decision was announced with much enthusiasm as market staff presented each winning farm with a ribbon and certificate. Another year of bragging rights for our farmers is in the books.
Festival attendees enjoyed all that our market has to offer- fresh, locally grown produce, locally made artisan goods and four local food trucks for breakfast and lunch. Admission to the festival and the market as always was free.
The Franklin Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8am-1pm behind the Factory in Franklin, TN. The market is a 16 yr old producers only market with the largest assembly of local farmers providing fresh farm food all year long each Saturday morning. Find us at 230 Franklin Road behind the Factory. Visit us online at www.franklinfarmersmarket.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest market news. Visit this link to view all the photos of the Tomato Festival.