Backyard Farms tomatoes due back in stores in October
Photo / Dave Clough
Stuart Jablon, president and COO of Backyard Farms, in one part of the 42 acres of greenhouse space.
Backyard Farms tomatoes will be back in stores from Maine to New Jersey in October, after the Madison grower shut down for a month to accommodate upgrades by new owner Mastronardi Produce.
The Portland Press Herald reported that a new crop of tomatoes was planted this month after an August shutdown for upgrades to the 42-acre greenhouse operation in Madison by the new owner, based in Kingsville, Ontario.
Mastronardi, which bought Backyard Farms in June, wouldn’t say what changes were made at the Madison site, which employs 240 people, according to its website.
Backyard Farms tomatoes can be found in 21 Maine supermarket chains and independent stores, including Hannaford, Shaw’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Bow Street Market, Rosemont markets, Fresh Approach, and more. They are also sold in the other five New England states, New York and New Jersey. The company has said that they must get tomatoes from the vine and into the store in 48 hours, so extensive distribution is limited.
Backyard Farms is the largest year-round commercial tomato grower in New England, producing 30 million pounds annually.
Mastronardi said acquiring the business, its sixth in the U.S., allows it to expand its operation to the U.S. Northeast. Backyard Farms, which kept its brand name, operates as a wholly owned affiliate of Mastronardi, which sells tomatoes under the Sunset brand, and distributes Campari, Zima, Angel Sweet and Kumata tomatoes in the U.S.
In June, Stuart Jablon, Backyard Farms president and COO, said the acquisition allows the Maine company to “continue expanding our business to reach more customers while remaining committed to growing the freshest, best-tasting fruit possible and deepening our community relationships.”
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