Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Agness tomatoes outsell the imports
By Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer
Sunday, July 19, 2009 | No comments posted.
There’s nothing like an Agness tomato.
After eating them for 35 years, Janeice Hamilton should know.
The produce manager for McKay’s No. 11 in Gold Beach, Hamilton said she buys tomatoes for her store from the Johnston Homestead, a fourth generation farm up the Illinois River in Agness, because “they’re so sweet and so good.”
The beefsteak-style tomatoes aren’t pretty and they’re only available between August and September, but Hamilton said customers know they’re worth the wait. The store purchases between 1,500 and 1,700 pounds from the family farm every year.
“I’ve already had people asking for them. … because they’re the best. As far as flavor goes, there’s nothing better than the flavor of their tomatoes,” Hamilton said.
“I could sell 30 cases in one day if it’s busy,” Hamilton said.
The store does carry some berries from Pistol River and Port Orford, but other local produce is pretty limited because they’re not often aesthetically pleasing.
“That’s kind of where the produce business is going these days. Customers want something that looks nice. That’s going to be there first impulse,” Hamilton said. “With Agness tomatoes, ... they sell themselves whether they’re pretty or ugly.”
After eating them for 35 years, Janeice Hamilton should know.
The produce manager for McKay’s No. 11 in Gold Beach, Hamilton said she buys tomatoes for her store from the Johnston Homestead, a fourth generation farm up the Illinois River in Agness, because “they’re so sweet and so good.”
The beefsteak-style tomatoes aren’t pretty and they’re only available between August and September, but Hamilton said customers know they’re worth the wait. The store purchases between 1,500 and 1,700 pounds from the family farm every year.
“I’ve already had people asking for them. … because they’re the best. As far as flavor goes, there’s nothing better than the flavor of their tomatoes,” Hamilton said.
“I could sell 30 cases in one day if it’s busy,” Hamilton said.
The store does carry some berries from Pistol River and Port Orford, but other local produce is pretty limited because they’re not often aesthetically pleasing.
“That’s kind of where the produce business is going these days. Customers want something that looks nice. That’s going to be there first impulse,” Hamilton said. “With Agness tomatoes, ... they sell themselves whether they’re pretty or ugly.”
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines