Beyond Local

The more you know about farming and how your food is grown, the more complex and interesting your food choices become. When you choose a piece of fruit, for example, you favor one that is locally grown, but also want it to be organic or eco, grown on a family farm, sold at a fair price for the farmer, produced under fair and safe working conditions, picked the same day it is eaten, full of nutrients and flavor, accessible and affordable, stored and transported safely, and with a minimal carbon footprint. Local can sometimes, but not always, meet all of these ideals.

At Red Tomato, we strive to bring these 'beyond local' values into our work with local and regional growers. We spend our work days contemplating the complex interplay of community, economy, ecology, and personal health. We believe that making steady progress in as many ways as possible is more important than being perfect in any one aspect alone. We work hard to make sure that Red Tomato is the best possible expression of these values.

So all this serious complexity doesn't get in the way of a good meal, we want you to be able to pick up a tasty Red Tomato apple or tomato or summer squash, and relish the opportunity to prepare it with love, savor it slowly, and enjoy with family and friends!