Simply Tomatoes

The story of Simply Tomatoes provides an example of changes and decisions one farming family made when faced with issues of water shortages, reduced reliability of water supply and fluctuating prices for their product.

Until 2005 the family at Terralea Farm near Boort grew tomatoes on 162 hectares, making them one of the largest producers in Victoria. They now grow tomatoes on just 0.5 hectare, picking three quarters of a tonne of green tomatoes at sunrise each day during the season.

Why green tomatoes?

Processing tomatoes yielded as little as 11 cents profit per tonne whereas green tomatoes with value adding make up to $40 per tonne.

The processing company required the tomatoes in November so water was needed for the crop in August — September, but with the prolonged drought since 1998 there was often no irrigation water allocation until later in the year when the water was of little value to the crop. Depending on the conditions, the tomato crop required between 4 and 14 megalitres (ML) of water per hectare. The green tomato crop uses 4 ML on the half hectare to produce the required high quality under the current dry conditions.

Using market research and a traditional Italian recipe from friends, the farmer created a product that could be grown and processed on farm. Simply Green Tomatoes is a pickled product used on antipasto platters, with cracker biscuits and cheeses and in salads.

The premium tomatoes are picked in the early morning and taken immediately to the purpose—built commercial kitchen for processing. The tomatoes are washed, then placed in a brine of vinegar and salt for two days. On the third day they are moved into a mix of olive oil, oregano and garlic and stored in cool underground storage until required for packaging and marketing in Australia and overseas.

Simply Tomatoes has expanded the range to include a spread and salad dressing based on the brine. The company has won awards for its products, packaging design and marketing, all acknowledgement and recognition of the success of a simply good idea!

Like to know more? Visit www.simplytomatoes.com.au

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