Bred for Profit, Revived for Community Organizing is what this community will be about.

Remarkable genetic characteristics were bred into Jersey tomatoes to build a thriving local farming and canning economy. Once the canning left, the farming and breeding stopped, and a lot of Jersey bred tomato varieties were left to survive either by seed savers or donations to the USDA Germplasm bank. These genetic characteristics that contributed significantly to the local economy are still in these saved seeds.

So why not use them as a tool to organize communities for seeds, and use the pulp from processing? I have the documented history of this in South Jersey, and it’s time to bring it forward, and continue this storied history with individuals and communities.

Coming, a Slow Food USA Jersey Tomato Community dedicated to this.

Seeds, growing, processing, history, and intentionally writing the next chapter of Jersey Tomatoes, and all that goes with them. The seeds are back, and with a community committed to saving and distributing the seeds for free, we can meet the passion and the legacy of all those in the history of these seeds, and move forward together.

A commitment to good clean fair food for all is required.
Slow Food USA’s Equity, Inclusion and Justice.

Ten Pound Club
There used to be Ten Ton Tomato Clubs back in the day. It was an award for any farmer who pulled ten tons of quality tomatoes off their land. There was a Five Ton Club too for pulling five tons.

They would meet yearly.

So, why not honor this with a Ten Pound Club? It’s more current with today’s growers. A decentralized network for growers, seed savers, chefs, craft beverages, food products to showcase Jersey terroir. Our tomatoes were bred to thrive in the rich coastal plain soil here, a significant part of the terroir.

Our bays have their terroir for oysters, clams and scallops. 

And we have the Pine Barrens with their terror.

A Jersey Terroir Trifecta,