BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market presents the annual Heirloom Tomato Tasting on Saturday, August 17, from 9 until 11:30 a.m. at Fernandez Plaza, 401 North Morton Street. Tomato tasting, is free while supplies last.
Local farmers will supply more than 18 colorful heirloom varieties for tasting, including Mr. Stripey, Cherokee Green, Omar’s Lebanese, and 1884. Heirloom tomato varieties are also available for sale at the Market.
Heirloom tomatoes were once widely cultivated but fell out of favor with producers because they were neither shipped nor stored well. However, gardeners and foodies adore them for their superb colors, textures, and flavors.
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated and grown from seeds saved from earlier crops. Some maintain that to qualify as an “heirloom,” seed must be passed from generation to generation like a precious family quilt.
Vehicle parking is available for $1/hour at meters on the streets surrounding the Market. Meters accept change and credit cards. Parking fees may also be paid using the ParkMobile app. Additional vehicle parking is available in the Morton Street Garage, 220 N. Morton St. (entrance is between 6th and 7th Streets on Morton Avenue). Garage parking is $.50/hour. All parking meters are enforced on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Visit the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market website to learn more about using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Access Program) benefits at the Market, or call 812-349-3700.
