MacArthur Farm's tomato named one of the best in the state

Added on 31 August 2023

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MacArthur Farm's tomato named one of the best in the state

HOLLISTON — By his own admission, local farmer Peter MacArthur was going to struggle to pay the inflated cost of oil to heat his greenhouse this past winter and early spring. So he decided to begin growing his famed tomatoes later this spring than usual.

"This year, what I did was different than any year," he said. "Because I couldn't afford the cost of the oil to heat the greenhouse, I planted them in May."

The revised growing strategy worked, at least in terms of MacArthur Farm's tomatoes placing second Tuesday in the slicing category the Commonwealth's 38th Annual Tomato Contest Tuesday at the plaza of the Boston Public Market.

The event drew 84 selections sent in from 19 farms, according to the State House News Service. Tomatoes were judged on flavor, firmness, color and shape. MacArthur Farms received a tomato trophy and a certificate for taking second in the slicing category.

MacArthur is happy he won because he wanted to inspire his daughter, Katie, who grows flowers and was also with her parents at the contest on Tuesday.

This year's warm weather caused the plants to grow rapidly, according to MacArthur, making the contest's timing just right for his crop.