British Tomato Week 2013, held last week, enjoyed more retailer support than ever, according to organisers at the Tomato Growers Association (TGA).
The association reached more than two million listeners in radio interviews, and the TGA website and Twitter feed @britishtomatoes achieved record hits.
Association chairman Nigel Bartle said: “Support from the retailers has been superb and we must offer a big vote of thanks to all those backing the week.” Stickers bearing the British Tomato Week logo appeared on retail shelves nationwide throughout the week.
Several schools ran Tomato Days using the TGA’s education website and teachers were able to help pupils learn about the valuable UK crop as well as prepare some tomato dishes.
The association also reported a number of nursery tours and in-store events as well as charity action from a tomato garden party in Sussex to a hog roast on Teeside.
TGA technical officer, Dr Philip Morley, concluded: “With a new found passion for local produce, British Tomato Week is a celebration of the British tomato and a reminder to shoppers that not just this week, but every week for the rest of the growing season is a great time to enjoy locally produced British tomatoes, not just because they are British, rather because they are the best.”
