Three years ago Sam Fleming, Director of 100 Gardens, changed the way that residents of Charlotte looked at the mostly red food. He brought his homegrown tomato fest to the city and it also doubles as a fundraiser.
“The Homegrown Tomato Festival is the one chance to try a huge spread of backyard tomatoes while supporting 100 Gardens, a nonprofit that teaches aquaponic gardening in 10 local schools,” Fleming told CharlotteFive.
If you haven’t decided on whether to attend this year’s event, we have 3 reasons why you should:
All proceeds of this event support the efforts of 100 Gardens. This nonprofit teaches students in Charlotte-area schools including — Garinger High, Oakhurst STEAM, and Myers Park High — a hands on approach to nutrition and business. Students even learn how to manage fresh fish and vegetables in their campus greenhouses using a special system called aquaponics.
If you love a great ‘Bloody Mary’ you will definitely want to be in the building for this. Watch as contestants from Haberdish, The Artisan’s Palate, Midwood Country Club, and Crown Station Pub and Coffeehouse compete to win the Critic’s Choice award for the best tomato-themed cocktail around the area.
Everyday backyard gardeners from around the city will enter their prized tomatoes in a competition. While there will be a panel of judges to blindly taste and critique the tomatoes, festival attendees will also have the chance to weigh in on their favorites.
If these reasons weren’t enough, you can also chow down on a Southern classic, the tomato sandwich. Whether you like it dressed up with Duke’s or Miracle Whip, eating a fresh tomato sandwich is something everyone should try once in their life.
This year’s festivities will be held on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. at the Neighborhood Theater (511 East 36th Street). If you would like to attend, you will need to purchase a ticket. They are $10 in advance for adults or $15 the day of, kids 13 and under are free.
Instagram: @homegrowntomatofestival
GET TICKETS Tour our aquaponics vertical farm and learn about growing your own fresh fish and veggies in a symbiotic ecosystem! Learn about how aquaponics can help protect our coeans, conserve our freshwater resources, and feed a growing population! You will also get a sneak peak at the other circular economy businesses at the Innovation […]
GET TICKETS Shreds and Shrooms is the ULTIMATE family activity! This immersive 2-hour experience starts with hands-on activites in the 100 Gardens Aquaponics Lab and MUSH! mushroom farm. Then, you will cook ingredients grown on-site at the Innovation Barn to make the fabulous "Philly, Not Really" mushroom "cheesteak" with a fresh side salad. The cooking […]
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County House of Correction has had something fishy going on for awhile now. Community leaders and others got a chance on Wednesday to tour an inmate-run greenhouse that takes hydroponics — growing plants in a nutrient solution — to another level of sustainability by using fish waste as […]
