Angela Zingale learned the intricacies of growing tomatoes from an expert: her father, Tom, whose crops were award winners.
On her Long Live Farm in Tallahassee, Zingale and her husband, Nick Carroll, nurture 150 tomato plants each year. If you’ve ever tried to grow tomatoes, you know it’s a tricky endeavor.
“It’s a family legacy,” said Zingale, a Tallahassee native, who describes her passion for produce, especially tomatoes — and hers are also award winners — as a “generational practice.”
“My dad raised me amongst his garden, and I’m keeping the tradition going,” is how she’s described the work of her family farm.
Zingale is one of the 16 farmers in the region who will be selling a variety of produce at the 21st annual Tomato Feastival, held on Sunday, June 7, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens.
In 21 years, the Tomato Feastival has blossomed from a backyard potluck with a few friends to more than 1,200 guests joining the community celebration.
“It has grown from a party to a fundraiser, emphasis on fun,” said Louise Divine, who held the first tomato gathering at her Turkey Hill Farm in Tallahassee in 2010. “We still want to highlight the tomato because they don’t call it the love apple for nothing.”
Love for the tomato
Divine gathered friends for a tomato celebration in her backyard for years until the event soared in popularity. In 2019, the Feastival moved to Goodwood.
“2018 was the last time we had the Feastival at our farm,” said Divine, co-owner of Turkey Hill Farm with husband Herman Holley. “When it gets to be 300 of your closest friends, it’s time to move.”
In 2019, Goodwood became the new home for the yearly Feastival. “We’re thankful to Goodwood’s help in sponsoring us,” Divine said.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Feastival Chair Lori Newman. “Proceeds from the Feastival support the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance and its work to strengthen local farmers/producers and connect our community to fresh, local food.”
The Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, a not-for-profit group, was created in 2010 by four local women in agriculture: Divine, Katie Harris (Full Earth Farm), Malini Ram Moraghan and Mary Russ.
“The Alliance is so important to the growth of our farm community,” Divine said. “It’s wonderful to be part of that farm community and to know that our Small Farm Alliance is integral to so many people’s lives. It’s integral to our farming community, whatever the size of the farm.”
Farmers note that this year hasn’t been an easy growing season.
Fighting the freeze, drought
“The late freeze and the drought has been really hard on the farm this year,” said Katherine Quick, co-owner of K&R Hidden Farms with husband Rodney. “Everything was set a little behind because of it.”
K&R will be at the Feastival selling a selection of their produce including their popular tomatoes, watermelon, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers and onions along with boiled peanuts, jam and baked goods.
You might recognize the K&R farmers from the Tallahassee Farmers Market or the Red Hills Online Market.
The online market is one of the major projects launched by the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, connecting residents with local producers. All the items sold on the market come directly from farm/producer to table.
The online market has grown to 101 farmers, ranchers and artisans who sell locally grown produce, milk, meats, cheeses, baked goods, plants, juice, granola, honey, mushrooms, homemade prepared foods and hand-crafted items to about 1,000 customer members per month.
The Alliance also runs community events such as the Tomato Feastival and Seven Days of Local Delights, a celebration of local agriculture.
Fresh food fund
The Alliance has also started the Fresh Food Fund, which has strengthened ties with local food banks. The Alliance pays farmers for their food, which is distributed to people in need through the Second Harvest of the Big Bend, the FSU Food Pantry and the Frenchtown Neighborhood Improvement Association.
The Feastival is a way to spread awareness of the Alliance, but the event is also a favorite community gathering known for its folksy, small-town atmosphere.
Feastival attractions include a craft beer garden, raffle, cake walk, live music, tomato contest and a kids’ zone.Whether you’re a tomato farmer or a backyard gardener, you can enter your tomatoes free of charge in categories such as Best-tasting Tomato, Biggest Tomato, Ugliest Tomato. Prizes are $50 for the best tomato and $50 for the best cherry tomato. And of course, there are bragging rights.
Zingale’s cherry and slicing tomatoes have been Feastival award winners. But she acknowledges that there are challenges, especially for an organic farmer.
“Our biggest battle is the stink bug,” said Zingale, who also grows flowers.
Last year was a bad season and I cried,” she said, noting how good her plants are doing now. “Tomatoes are tricky. They don’t have a long shelf life. It’s very short. But they’re worth it.”
Buying local
Local tomatoes are also worth it if you’re watching grocery costs. The Consumer Price Index reports that tomatoes are up about 40 percent over a year ago, according to a story by the Associated Press.
“Eight dollars a pound when most local farmers are selling their tomatoes for $5 to $6 a pound,” Zingale said.
That’s even more reason to celebrate our local tomatoes. Aside from buying tomatoes, you can indulge in tomato treats at the Feastival. Arrive early to ensure you can snag the old-fashioned tomato sandwiches made with white bread and mayo.
The Feastival features some new attractions this year, Newman said.
“We’re excited to support our farm partners,” said sommelier Amanda Morrison, who teamed up with chef Jasmine Dunn to create a permanent restaurant in the cottage. “We do source almost everything. We do our best work to showcase what farmers work so hard to grow.”
On June 5, Damas will present its second annual Friday Night Tasting with the tomato as its star. Make a reservation at damastlh.com. On June 6, Amanda and Jasmine will be offering a Tomatoland Revival Picnic, featuring two favorites from the former beloved Tallahassee open-air market and shop, along with Damas’ Saturday lunch lineup. And Sunday, the cafe will sell its tomato pies.
The Feastival has also become a showcase for craft beer. Nine breweries and one cider company will be participating this year: Amicus Brewing Ventures, Bandwagon Brewing Company, Burned Beard Brewing, Deep Brewing Company, Hammerhead Brewing, Lake Tribe Brewing Company, Ology Brewing Co., Oyster City Brewing Company, Proof Brewing Company and Pass My Cup cider company.
The tomato season hasn’t been easy for growers, Divine said. “Both the freeze and the drought have made it tough for tomatoes. But we farmers, we just start over.”
Activity highlights
What to bring and other tips
If you go
What: The 21st Annual Tomato Feastival
When: 1 to 5 p.m. June 7
Where: Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 600 Miccosukee Road
Tickets: $20 general admission (includes raffle ticket), $10 for children 12-17, free for children under 12, $45 for a family. Raffle tickets will be for sale. You can also buy tickets at the gate. Visit redhillssfa.com.
Rochelle Koff writes about food and dining at TallahasseeTable.com, on Facebook@TheTallahasseeTable and Twitter @tallytable. Reach her at TallahasseeTable@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Farmers bring their juicy best to 21st annual Tomato Feastival
Reporting by Rochelle Koff, Tallahassee Table / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
