What does it take to be a RT Grower?

People often ask "What does it take to be a Red Tomato grower?" Or, "How do you go about adding new growers to the network?" The answer often surprises people: it's about relationships. If we need more product than our network can supply, we ask our current growers: "Who do you know? Who do you trust? Who grows peaches as well as you do?" Our growers understand that our brand, which stands for freshness, quality, and flavor, represents them. So, they take these questions very seriously.

We also look hard for growers with wholesale experience - farmers who know how to perform quality control, pack, and ship for the retail market. After that, it's about growers who want to work with us - who strive to consider the food safety, fair trade, ecological aspects of what it means to be part of the Red Tomato network. After all, our farmers are our most valued brand ambassadors-- besides our fruits and veggies of course!

Relationship building takes time.  As a result, our network grows slowly. We work within the constraints of market demand, the needs of our current farmers, and with a constant eye towards our ultimate goal: creating opportunities for our regions farmers to become primary suppliers of a sustainable food system. For, 2011 we are thrilled to see progress measured in number of farms, acres, and very soon, the amount of fresh produce you see in markets near you.