"Tomatoberry" Appeals To Children

"Tomatoberry" Appeals To Children CROPS Miscellaneous 31-2-44 When Ike Tokita took home a new tomato variety shaped like a strawberry, his 2-year-old daughter gave him a name for it - Tomatoberry. Tokita, president and CEO of Tokita Seed Co., a 90-year-old Japanese company, says the shape was accidental, but it became popular very quickly. "It's obviously the shape that attracts consumers, but it's the taste that keeps them coming back," he says. Tokita seed breeders are innovators in the cherry tomato market. They also created Sungold, an orange cherry tomato. Tomatoberry, a 1-in. fruit, created a lot of buzz at a big Produce Marketing Show last fall, Tokita says. Already available in Japan, it will be available to the rest of the world next summer. It will be available to gardeners through Johnny's Selected Seeds of Maine. "We trialed the product and it met all our taste and yield standards," says Bruce Harrington, director of sales and marketing for Johnny's. "It's got a great taste and a nice firm texture." Tomatoberries mature in about 60 days and have a heavy yield. They're sweet, with a low acidity and a deep red color. "This will be great in salads and appealing in the grocery store," Harrington says. Wherever they're sold, the variety will be brand marketed as Tomatoberry. Based on Tokita's daughter's reaction, it may attract a new consumer base. "Its shape, color, glossiness and taste attract kids who don't normally eat tomatoes," Tokita says. Gardeners can purchase the seeds through Johnny's Selected Seeds starting at $4.25 for 10 seeds. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Johnny's Selected Seeds, 955 Benton Avenue, Winslow, Maine 04901 (ph 877 564-6697; www.johnnyseeds.com).

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