Lush hues of red, yellow and green took over the Carrboro Farmers' Market this Saturday as it held its annual and highly anticipated Tomato Day. The event showcases local tomato farmers and their diverse tomato selection, offers free samples and sells Tomato Day merch.
The Carrboro Farmers' Market is open every Saturday, but this weekend, it turned into a love letter to the juicy summer vegetable — though botanically, it's a fruit. Each year, Tomato Day kicks off the start of the tomato season in mid-to-late July.
The market was filled with its usual florals and produce, but tomatoes were impossible to miss. Information stands lined the entrances to hand out zines, sell Tomato Day merchandise and guide shoppers around the market.
One information stand featured more than 40 different tomatoes labeled with unique names like Tasmanian Chocolate, Summer of Love, Purple Bumble Bee and a green striped tomato aptly named Green Zebra. The market featured just over 70 varieties of tomatoes. Alex and Betsy Hitt were in charge of the information stand. They used to own Peregrine Farm and sold tomatoes at the very first Tomato Day. They were vendors at the Carrboro Farmers' Market for 36 years and now volunteer after retiring in 2021.
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