2009 TOMATOFARE® 1,000 FREE HEIRLOOM TOMATO PLANT GIVEAWAY

2009 TOMATOFARE® 1,000 FREE HEIRLOOM TOMATO PLANT GIVEAWAY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY JUNE 6TH

Tuesday June 2, 2009
For immediate release
Martin D. Ringhofer, Founder/Director
TomatoFare2008®
Tel: 206-784-5920
Email: martinringhofer@aol.com
Website: http://tomatofare.net/

Soap Lake, WA. TomatoFare2009 is having its final plant giveaway of 1,000 heirloom tomato plants (24 different varieties), and heirloom herb plants on Saturday June 6th in Soap Lake, WA., between 10AM and 2PM. Free plants will be given away to anyone who would like to become a TomatoFare 2009 grower & participant, and to others interested in growing heirloom tomatoes.

Anyone interested in free plants may write or phone one of the following:
Jerry & Gene Prentice theprentices@gmail.com Moses Lake, WA 509-765-4495
Mary Catherine & John Koppang jandmc@sagensun.net Ephrata, WA 98823 509- 787-1305
Martin & Jennifer Ringhofer martinringhofer@aol.com Soap Lake, WA 206-784-5920

Growers get free plants, keep all they grow except one week’s worth the week prior to TomatoFare2009 (Held at White Heron Cellars is located in Trinidad, above Crescent Bar, at 10035 Stuhlmiller, Quincy, WA. See their website. For more info about White Heron Cellars phone (509) 797-9463 or Email at info@whiteheronwine.com.

Growers get free admission in exchange for tomatoes and their volunteer help at the event.
In past years, the plants were given away on a set Sunday in mid-May in Soap Lake. This year, people are asked to write & contact the above TomatoFare Associate growers to make arrangements to pick up their plants by appointment.

TomatoFare’s goal is to select the seed of “at risk” tomato varieties that are, above all else, tasty and to provide growers, farmers, chefs, contributing businesses, and public an event that supports and celebrates the process.

TomatoFare has made Grant County the heirloom tomato capital of Washington State and the Pacific
Northwest, growing 50,000 lbs. in each 2006, 2007 & 2008.

Once known as love apples, tomatoes have a long and varied history. They originated in South America and spread to the rest of the world through trade routes. Today, most tomatoes are hybridized versions of the original and almost always red. The heirloom comes in every color of the rainbow. Ringhofer, who was brought up with the family value "that you get more by giving than taking," has given away close to 1,000 tomato plants each of the past three years on a sunny spring weekend to gardeners in and around Soap Lake. TomatoFare has grown to 50 small growers to grow the plants in their garden with one stipulation: for one week, all the tomatoes the plants produce will go to stock the annual TomatoFare. For the second year, TomatoFare 2009 will again be held at White Heron Winery on Sunday September 6 from 4PM-8PM.

The Ringhofers feel it is especially important, particularly in this time of hardship for many, that we do all we can to support people’s ability to provide for themselves healthy foods through healthy gardening and teach sustainable practices to children.”

This year, don’t miss the opportunity to satiate your desire for old-fashioned, heirloom tomato flavors at the best food & wine events in Grant & Douglas Counties. Enjoy the foods chefs will prepare featuring heirloom tomatoes in an unpretentious, harvest-celebration atmosphere. Ringhofer says, “Our gathering will showcase a range of unforgettable epicurean creations from classical to innovative food adventures. The chefs and restaurants selected to appear at this year’s TomatoFare lead the way to experiencing the possibility, range and pleasures of exceptional cuisine prepared with heirloom tomatoes.”

“TomatoFare2009® entertains more than one’s senses,” said Ringhofer. It celebrates the spirit of the season’s harvest and encourages home gardeners to carry on the honored tradition of seed-saving and growing their family’s own organic heirloom tomatoes. It truly is a unique community festival for food & wine lovers, chefs, family gardeners and farmers. It’s a celebration of life!” Get your ticket now… so you don’t miss the opportunity to take part in “The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Tomato Harvest Festival” before tickets sell out.

General admission tickets at $20 are available in advance; $25 on the day of the event are limited to 300 guests to ensure a quality experience for all. Early ticket purchase is suggested since the event is expected to sell out. Children under the age of 12 with attending parent are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased through White Heron Cellars phone (509) 797-9463.

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Founded and operated by Martin & Jennifer Ringhofer in 2006, the TomatoFare® has revitalized the appreciation and desire for true heirloom tomatoes over the past three years. The Ringhofer’s belief in sustainable farming and organic seed saving has inspired them to develop and grow heirloom tomato varieties for more than six years. For the 2009 season, 50 participating small growers are currently growing more than 100 varieties of certified organic heirloom tomatoes from seeds originally sourced from family farms around the world. For more information visit
http://tomatofare.net/ or write martinringhofer@aol.com