Farm stand can’t keep up with demand for ‘local’ tomatoes

By Karen Donato-Duff
Special to the Pioneer Times
    For more than 20 years Judy Oliver has been transporting the fruits of her labor to the parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s in Houlton.
Contributed photo/Karen Donato-Duff
TASTES GREAT, LESS FILLING — For more than 20 years Judy Oliver of Haynesville has been transporting the fruits of her labor to the parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s in Houlton where she operates a popular farm stand.  Last Friday Oliver, left, sold her last tomato of the day to Emma Wells, who was on the hunt for locally grown produce for her favorite spaghetti sauce recipe.
    Judy had retired from a career of teaching physical education in the local schools in 1980. She and her husband wintered in Florida for awhile and each spring immersed themselves in the growing of fruits and vegetables on their Haynesville farm.
    They have created a faithful following from far and wide, and you will find Judy at this Houlton location several times a week selling her fresh produce. Her son, Joel and his wife Lynn operate their own farm stand on the Calais Road as well.
    As I was conversing with Judy, Emma Wells of Houlton drove in looking for fresh tomatoes for a special tomato sauté that she makes to accompany spaghetti. She had already stopped by the Calais Road stand and now was hoping Judy still had some tomatoes that she needed. Judy lamented that earlier in the day she had a few, but there was only one left. Emma scoffed it up quickly!
    Judy told us that this summer has not been a good growing season for tomatoes — too much rain; however the onions and carrots were thriving. When asked why not go to the grocery store for the tomatoes, Mrs. Wells said, “I only use fresh garden grown tomatoes in this recipe. The ‘Maine’ difference is the flavor! The store bought tomatoes taste like the cardboard box! The flavor of the local fruits and vegetables cannot be matched,” she said.
    Another customer, Jean Johnston was looking for green tomatoes to make pickles; she too stated she would buy only locally grown produce. Judy assured her she should have some on Monday and hoped she could wait. Judith Brown of Brewer stopped in with her mother, Audrey of Houlton. Judith looks for organically grown fruits and vegetables and agreed that the taste of those shipped from outside the state does not compare to those from the local farms.
    August is Tomato Tasting Month in Maine. There are many sites throughout the state that will have special taste testing events. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Seth Bradstreet encourages Maine residents to expand their menu horizons with fresh Maine tomatoes.
    Today tomatoes are turning up in recipes from pudding to pancakes. “Tomatoes aren’t just for salads anymore,” according to Bradstreet.
    According to USDA records, the tomato is the world’s most popular fruit. And yes, just like the pumpkin, botanically speaking it is a fruit, not a vegetable. More than 60 million tons of tomatoes are produced per year, 16 million tons more than the second most popular fruit, the banana. Apples are the third most popular (36 million tons), then oranges (34 million tons) and watermelons (22 million tons).
    Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C and fiber, and are cholesterol free. An average-sized tomato (148 grams or 5 oz) boasts only 35 calories. Furthermore, new medical research suggests that the consumption of lycopene — the stuff that makes tomatoes red — may prevent cancer. Lycopene is part of the family of pigments called carotenoids, which are natural compounds that create the colors of fruits and vegetables. For example, beta carotene is the orange pigment in carrots. As with essential amino acids, they are not produced by the human body.
    Lycopene is the most powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family and, with vitamins C and E, protect us from the free radicals that degrade many parts of the body.
    Look for tomato tasting signs indicating sampling sites at your local farmstands, farmers’ markets or grocery stores. Celebrate the local flavors of the world’s most popular fruit.
    To find farmer’s markets, farms and farm stands during Tomato Tasting Month or any time, go online to www.getrealmaine.com.