North Queensland’s tasty tomatoes in-season now
- North Queensland produces almost 90 per cent of the state’s tomatoes
- Tomatoes get their red colour from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that boosts health and wellbeing
- Bite-sized cherry and grape tomatoes are a perfect lunchbox addition
Queensland’s tomato season is in full swing with the versatile vegetable an affordable and healthy choice for families.
North Queensland grows almost 90 per cent of the state’s tomatoes during the winter harvest season between May and November, with over 40,000 tonnes produced every year.
Helena De Bortoli, Pick of the Crop regional coordinator in North Queensland, said adding tomatoes to sandwiches, lunchboxes or pastas was a great way to boost children’s vegetable intake.
‘Tomatoes have to be the most versatile vegetable going: you can eat them fresh or cooked, add them as a sauce or paste, enjoy them as a side dish or as the main squeeze,’ Ms De Bortoli said.
‘They are also an excellent source of nutrients, including lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red colour and helps protect us from heart disease and some cancers.
‘What I love about our region is that so many growers are selling their tomatoes at their roadside stalls, helping to make fresh tomatoes highly accessible and affordable for our community.’
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) supports Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s whole-school healthy eating initiative Pick of the Crop, which aims to increase opportunities for Queensland primary school students to learn about and eat more vegetables and fruit.
BGGA president Carl Walker said the main tomato varieties produced in North Queensland were gourmet, grape, cherry and egg (roma).
‘Tomatoes are part of the Aussie staple diet – smaller varieties like cherry or grape tomatoes are perfect to snack on and for throwing into salads, while larger varieties like gourmets and eggs are perfect for sandwiches and cooking,’ Mr Walker said.
‘Tomatoes are traditionally a spring or summer vegetable, but thanks to the beautiful tropical weather in North Queensland, our farmers can grow them almost all-year round.
‘Buying local and in-season is a great way to support growers, and to make sure you’re getting bang for your buck when buying your vegetables.’
Recipes
For more recipes and healthy eating ideas, visit hw.qld.gov.au
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