April is Florida Tomato Month!

Here are some interesting Florida Tomato facts and figures:


• Approximately 31,500 acres were under cultivation for the fresh tomato market in 2007-08.

• Florida ships more than 1.1 billion pounds of fresh tomatoes to the US, Canada and abroad.

• About 33,000 workers are needed to hand pick the fruit.

• Total crop value at the farm level exceeds $619 million.

• The cost of producing and harvesting tomatoes averages nearly $12,000 per acre.

• Tomatoes comprise nearly one-third the total value of all fresh vegetables produced in Florida each year Did you know color makes no difference in the flavor or nutritional goodness of tomatoes? You may say your tastebuds tell a different story! In fact, researchers have shown that the mind or psychology play a major role in taste and selection of tomato varieties among home gardeners. Researchers also found the primary differences in taste of tomatoes has to do with the meatiness of a tomato, the concentration of seeds and gel or juiciness of a tomato. Sweetness and acidity is also in part a result of whether a tomato variety is meaty or juicy, as well as being influenced by the number of days to maturity. The longer a tomato has to mature on the vine, the higher the sugar content can be.

Tomatoes are already known to contain many compounds beneficial to health. In this study the team analyzed 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid, to test its potential anti-dyslipidemia properties. The compound was found to enhance fatty acid oxidation and contributed to the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid has anti-dyslipidemia affects and can therefore help prevent vascular diseases. It means that the tomato allows people to easily manage the onset of dyslipidemia through their daily diet. Enjoy this wonderful Vegetable/fruit in your diet!

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