Tallahassee's yearly showcase of local food and beverage producers brought big crowds in excess of 1,000 people on Sunday, June 9 to Goodwood Museum and Gardens. The throngs descended on the historic site for the 19th Annual Tomato Feastival.
While music played from the front porch of the Goodwood Mansion, local producers like Katherine Quick of K&R Farms were showing off their freshly harvested wares.
"When people taste our produce, they see that it tastes so much better than what you'll find at Publix or WalMart."
Kylie Lamar Brown's Lamar Farms specializes in growing cranberry beans.
"You can use it in soups and stews, and pasta dishes. It's used in a lot of Italian and Greek dishes. But you can also cook it down like a lima bean or traditional southern pea."
There were also lots of local brewers with ice cold beer to counter the day's soaring temperatures. And Heart Bar Farms' Jennifer Anderson was glad to see all the interest in local producers.
"even if you don't buy from us, please find a local farmer. I think it's valuable and important to your health and the local community. And I think having that connection to the people who grow your food is instrumental."
Proceeds from the event benefited the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance.