HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. — Princeton Public Library has teamed up with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and others to present Festomato, a celebration of New Jersey organic tomatoes on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. The event, to be held on Hinds Plaza, rain or shine, is intended to raise awareness of what many consider the crowning jewel of New Jersey-grown produce.
Festomato will include activities for all ages including crafts, cooking demonstrations, speakers, a canning workshop and children’s programs. There will be live music from three bands and plenty of food and drink selections made with tomatoes to taste.
Out in the Plaza
- Noon-3 PM Cherry Valley Cooperative, that has been recognized for its Farm to School program, will lead the children’s program with the help of local high school kids
- Tomato preserving demos (Kim Rizk)
- 11 AM Seed Saving Classes (Nate Kleinman)
- 12-3 PM Garden Doctor (Judith Robinson, Al Johnson and Stephanie Harris)
For the Community Room
- 11 AM – Noon Cooking demonstration, Christina Pirello, PBS Chef, demonstrating a tomato dish and the benefits of cooking organic
- 12-1 PM Prof Tom Orton, Rutgers University, tomato breeding and how it impacts on the organic farming community
- 1-2 PM Tessa Desmond, Princeton University, Transforming our Food System to a More Regionally Based One
- 2-3 PM Al Johnson, Healthy Soils/Healthy Planet
- 3-4 PM Stephanie Harris, President of NOFA-NJ Planting a Climate Victory Garden!
- 4-5 PM Judith Robinson Tomato Pollinators Tomato and how to create Pollinator Oases
More than 50 varieties of organic tomatoes will be available from local farmers including Abe’s Acres Farm, Cherry Grove Farm, Cherry Valley Farm, Chickadee Creek Farm and Muth Family Farm.
Participating Bands include Bill Flemer and GoodBye Blue, Matthew Backes and Ron Greenstein, and Carolyn Klaube and ALBO.
Participating restaurants are Arlee’s Raw Blends, The Bent Spoon, Jammin’ Crepes, Jules Thin Crust Pizza, Lillipies, Local Greek, Terra Momo Restaurant Group, Tico’s Eatery and Juice Bar, Tortuga’s Mexican Village, Triumph Brewing and Witherspoon Grill.
Festomato is co-sponsored by Princeton Studies Food and McCaffrey’s Food Market. Additional funding is being provided by the library’s Princeton Environmental Film Festival and the Whole Earth Center of Princeton.
No Registration Required. Free admission.
–NOFA-NJ