It's been a good year for tomatoes in North Florida and South Georgia. Anyone doubting that fact only had to stop by the Annual Tomato FEASTival on Sunday, June 8 hosted by the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance.
There was constant live music from the front porch of the Goodwood Museum and Gardens mansion house. Meanwhile, dozens of Red Hills Small Farms Alliance members, such as Kat Quick, co-owner of K &R Hidden Farms, had steady lines of customers for their produce.
"We have a ton of tomatoes! We were really blessed with a great harvest. There are a ton of people, the weather is perfect, sunshine, everything is working out."
For the event's founder, Louise Devine with Turkey Hill Farms, something else is working out: Namely the organization's online market, which she says is seeing more business as the status of imported produce becomes ever more uncertain because of on-again, off-again tariffs.
"Our online market gives people that opportunity. It gives small farms an opportunity to get started. It's achievable and they don't have to pick anything until it's sold. It's a great support for small farms."
Devine says the group now has a membership of more than 100 farms in North Florida and South Georgia.
