Expect sandwiches, pies, brews, music and games
Angela Zingale learned the intricacies of growing tomatoes from an expert: her father, Tom, whose crops were award winners.
On her Long Live Farm in Tallahassee, Angela and her husband, Nick Carroll, nurture 150 tomato plants each year. If you’ve ever tried to grow tomatoes, you know it’s a tricky endeavor.
“It’s a family legacy,” said Angela, a Tallahassee native, who describes her passion for produce, especially tomatoes — and hers are also award winners — as a “generational practice.”
“My dad raised me amongst his garden, and I’m keeping the tradition going,” is how she’s described the work of her family farm.
Angela Zingale will be one of the farmers selling tomatoes at the Tomato Feastival on June 7. Photo / Long Live Farm
Angela is one of the 16 farmers in the region who will be selling a variety of produce at the 21st annual Tomato Feastival, held on June 7 at Goodwood Museum & Gardens.
In 21 years, the Tomato Feastival has blossomed from a backyard potluck with a few friends to more than 1,200 guests joining the community celebration.
“It has grown from a party to a fundraiser, emphasis on fun,” said Louise Divine, who held the first tomato gathering at her Turkey Hill Farm in Tallahassee in 2010. “We still want to highlight the tomato because they don’t call it the love apple for nothing.”
Herman Holley and Louise Divine launched the Feastival in 2010 at their Turkey Hill Farm. Photo / Turkey Hill Farm
Louise gathered friends for a tomato celebration in her backyard for years until the event soared in popularity. In 2019, the Feastival moved to Goodwood.
“2018 was the last time we had the Feastival at our farm,” said Louise, co-owner of Turkey Hill Farm with husband Herman Holley. “When it gets to be 300 of your closest friends, it’s time to move.”
In 2019, Goodwood became the new home for the yearly Feastival. “We’re thankful to Goodwood’s help in sponsoring us,” Louise said.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Feastival Chair Lori Newman. “Proceeds from the Feastival support the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance and its work to strengthen local farmers/producers and connect our community to fresh, local food.”
Goodwood Museum & Gardens has been the site of the Tomato Feastival since 2019. Photo provided
The Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, a not-for-profit group, was created in 2010 by four local women in agriculture: Divine, Katie Harris (Full Earth Farm), Malini Ram Moraghan and Mary Russ.
“The Alliance is so important to the growth of our farm community,” Louise said. “It’s wonderful to be part of that farm community and to know that our Small Farm Alliance is integral to so many people’s lives. It’s integral to our farming community, whatever the size of the farm.”
The Feastival will feature a market with 16 growers, bakers and farmers.
Farmers note that this year hasn’t been an easy growing season.
“The late freeze and the drought has been really hard on the farm this year,” said Katherine Quick, co-owner of K&R Hidden Farms with husband Rodney. “Everything was set a little behind because of it.”
Yet the Rodneys will be at the Feastival selling a selection of their produce including their popular tomatoes, watermelon, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers and onions along with boiled peanuts, jam and baked goods.
You might recognize the K&R farmers from the Tallahassee Farmers Market or the Red Hills Online Market.
The online market is one of the major projects launched by the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, connecting residents with local producers. All the items sold on the market come directly from farm/producer to table.
Play of Sunlight mushroom growers, who are on the Red Hills Online Market and at the Tallahassee Farmers Market, will be selling their mushrooms at the Tomato Feastival. Photo / Tallahassee Table
The online market has grown to 101 farmers, ranchers and artisans who sell locally grown produce, milk, meats, cheeses, baked goods, plants, juice, granola, honey, mushrooms, homemade prepared foods and hand-crafted items to about 1,000 customer members per month.
The Alliance also runs community events such as the Tomato Feastival and Seven Days of Local Delights, a celebration of local agriculture. The Alliance has also started the Fresh Food Fund, which has strengthened ties with local food banks. The Alliance pays farmers for their food, which is distributed to people in need through the Second Harvest of the Big Bend, the FSU Food Pantry and the Frenchtown Neighborhood Improvement Association.
The Feastival is a way to spread awareness of the Alliance, but the event is also a favorite community gathering known for its folksy, small-town atmosphere.
Feastival attractions include a craft beer garden, raffle, cake walk, live music, tomato contest and a kids’ zone.
You don’t have to be a farmer to enter the Tomato Feastival contest. It’s open to the public. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Whether you’re a tomato farmer or a backyard gardener, you can enter your tomatoes free of charge in categories such as Best-tasting Tomato, Biggest Tomato and Ugliest Tomato. Cherry tomatoes and beefsteak can participate in the contest. Prizes are $50 for the best tomato and $50 for the best cherry tomato. And of course, there are bragging rights.
Angela’s cherry and slicing tomatoes have been Feastival award winners. But she acknowledges that there are challenges. Like Katherine of K&R Hidden Farm, she notes the battles of this season.
Angela Zingale reaches up to her 10-foot Sunbgold tomato plants at her Long Live Farm. Photo / Long Live Farm
“This year, we lost 50 plants to the freeze,” said Angela, a mother of two. “We started with 250 seedlings so we’re prepared for that. We always have backups.”
She’s thrilled by how good her tomato plants are looking now.
“Last year was a bad season and I cried,” she said. “Tomatoes are tricky. They don’t have a long shelf life. It’s very short. But they’re worth it.”
Also worth it: jIndulging in the tomato treats at the Feastival. Arrive early to ensure you can snag the old-fashioned tomato sandwiches made with white bread and mayo.
The Feastival features some new attractions this year, Lori said.
- Chef Nikki Pettineo will be demonstrating how to make tomato pies from 2 to 2:30 p.m. in the Carriage House. Check out all the items up for raffle in the Carriage House this year.
- A bake shop featuring all kinds of homemade cakes, cookies, cake pops and other baked goods and coffee will be in the Jubilee Cottage where the raffle prizes used to be located.
- Damas, the restaurant located in the “Rough House” cottage at Goodwood, will be making 300 tomato pies at the Feastival. But that’s only part of the Damas’ weekend tribute to the tomato this year.
“We’re excited to support our farm partners,” said sommelier Amanda Morrison, who teamed up with chef Jasmine Dunn to create a permanent restaurant in the cottage. “We do source almost everything. We do our best work to showcase what farmers work so hard to grow.”
On June 5, Damas will present its second annual Friday Night Tasting with the tomato as its star. On June 6, Amanda and Jasmine will be offering a Tomatoland Revival Picnic, featuring two favorites from the former beloved Tallahassee open-air market and shop, along with Damas’ Saturday lunches. And Sunday, the cafe will sell its tomato pies.
The Feastival has also become a showcase for craft beer. Nine breweries and one cider company will be participating this year: Amicus Brewing Ventures, Bandwagon Brewing Company, Burned Beard Brewing, Deep Brewing Company (Deep is partnering with Sienna Gardens for a blueberry pairing), Hammerhead Brewing, Lake Tribe Brewing Company, Ology Brewing Co., Oyster City Brewing Company, Proof Brewing Company and Pass My Cup cider company.
The tomato season hasn’t been easy for growers, Louise said. “Both the freeze and the drought have made it tough for tomatoes. But we farmers, we just start over.”
Damas Tomato Weekend
June 5: Sommelier Amanda Morrison and chef Jasmine Dunn will be preparing a five-course meal starring tomatoes at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Rough House Cottage at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. You can book a reservation through Resy.
June 6: Damas is hosting a Tomato Land revival picnic Saturday afternoon. You can have table service inside with a complete lunch menu or stop by for a picnic-style gathering on the lawn with walk-up sandwich and drink service. Damas will honor Tomato Land (the once venerable market on Thomasville Road) with classic sandwiches, the BLT and the Landwich (vegetarian sandwich with tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts, basil and mayo). If you’re eating outside, you might want to bring a blanket.
June 7: Tomato pies for sale at the Tomato Feastival.
Activity highlights
- Tomato contests. Anyone can bring their homegrown tomatoes to compete in varied categories including best-tasting, ugliest and largest tomatoes.
- A farmers’ market with 16 vendors selling tomatoes, a variety of local food and other products.
- Food for sale: Along with tomato sandwiches and tomato pies, food vendors include the Zap Zap Food Truck, Forgotten Bay Oysters, Lofty Pursuits and Chugg (beverages and dirty soda).
- Live music by The Elements, Jack Straub & Friends and Natalie Taunton.
- A raffle of local food, arts, products and services.
- A cakewalk and bake sale.
What to bring and other tips
- * Bring a cooler if you’re going to buy food from the farmers’ market.
- * Bring a sun-screen, a hat and a lawn chair or blanket.
- * Feastival goers are asked to park at nearby Ghazvini Center at 1528 Surgeons Drive. Handicapped parking at Goodwood.
- * Head to the beer or food station of your choice because these quickly draw a crowd.
When you go …
What: The 21st Annual Tomato Feastival takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. June 7 at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Rd.
Tickets: Tickets are $20 general admission (18+, includes one raffle ticket), $10 for children between ages 12 and 17, free for children under 12, $45 for a family ticket (families with kids up to 17 years old, includes a raffle ticket). Raffle tickets will be for sale. Visit redhillsfarmalliance.com to buy tickets. You can also buy tickets at the gate.
Food and brews are purchased separately. T-shirts and other merchandise for sale.
To learn more about RHSFA visit redhillssfa.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Schedule: Gates open at 1 p.m.
- Noon to 2 p.m.: Jack Straub & Friends play at the Carriage House.
- 1 to 5 p.m.: The Elements play from 1 to 5 p.m. on the front porch.
- 1 to 5 p.m.: Bake Shop in Jubilee Cottage. 1 to 5 p.m.
- Kids Corner on East Lawn.
- 1 to 4 p.m.: Raffle House open.
- 1:45 p.m. and later: Cake Walk.
- 2-3 p.m.: Natalie Taunton at Carriage House.
- 2 to 2:30 p.m.: Cooking demonstration with chef Nikki Pettineo.
- 4:15 p.m.: Raffle prizes drawn
