Fewer hours of sunlight in the U.S. Midwest may generally mean an end to fresh locally-grown vegetables, but NatureFresh Farms has just started picking speciality tomatoes in its new Ohio greenhouse. 

The TOMZ-branded snaking tomatoes are being harvested along with tomatoes on the vine and will be shipped through the winter.

"Every flavor provides a sensory experience that distinguishes itself," marketing director Chris Veillon said.

"A tomato’s flavor is a consumer’s most immediate and visceral experience with the variety. NatureFresh™ Farms developed its TOMZ™ Snacking Tomatoes to meet consumer expectations that when they enjoy a snacking tomato in July, October, or February, that the flavor is plentiful and consistent each and every time.

"Why? Because the same grower produced that same tomato from the same farm regardless of the season", said Veillon.

The company's tomato offering from the Ohio greenhouse this winter includes red, yellow, orange grape tomatoes, red cherry tomatoes, sweet red cocktail tomatoes, and mixed medley tomatoes.

All snacking tomatoes are being packed under the TOMZ snacking tomato brand. NatureFresh has already been shipping their OhioRed-branded Tomatoes On The Vine since last February and will begin shipping Roma and Beefsteak tomatoes under the same brand later this winter.

NatureFresh Farms unveiled its new Ohio Proud-themed TOMZ top seal packaging at Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit in Orlando in October and says it was met with 'rave reviews'.

By transitioning to top seal packaging, NatureFresh says it is reducing the plastic content of its packages by up to 25%.

"We want to ensure that consumers clearly understand that this product is grown in Ohio", business development director Ray Wowryk said.

NatureFresh included a U.S. flag in the packaging and increased the font size of the country of origin to avoid any confusion on store shelves of where the product was grown. 

"Growing our tomatoes year-round in Ohio significantly reduces the food miles that the product must travel to store level," Wowryk said.

"We are increasing shelf life by picking the fruit off the vine at a later color stage to ensure we deliver maximum flavor."

NatureFresh is in the midst of a major expansion in Ohio with up to 180 acres of year-round production planned for the Delta facility.

Phase 1 (15.30 acres) and 2 (15.30 acres) have been completed to date with Phase 3 (15.30 acres) to be completed in December, bringing the total of new construction to 45 acres in the last 12 months.

With an abundance of off-peak power available from the grid, High Pressure Sodium lighting is being used to supplement its growing practices to be able to grow year-round in Delta.

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