Burlington County Farmers Market Saturday honors Jersey Tomato. But what makes that veggie special?

All-things tomato will be featured on Saturday at the Burlington County Farmers Market celebration of The Jersey Tomato. But what makes New Jersey's version of the flavorful and juicy vegetable special?

The honor doesn't grow from a single variety or other legacy from when tomatoes were in huge demand in the last century as the vegetable was trucked to Campbell's Soup production in Camden, say two tomato experts.

First, the fundamental rule — the tomato needs to be grown in Jersey to be a Jersey Tomato.

But the Jersey Tomato also is special because it typically is harvested with some color and the varieties grown tend to offer a combination of sweetness and acidity, said Pete Nitzsche, the Rutgers University cooperative extension agent in Morris County. 

Tomatoes in supermarkets often have been harvested mature green because they need to withstand shipping, Nitzsche explained.

"They might emphasize the shipability more than the flavor, the taste," he said of tomatoes in supermarkets.

Direct marketing, through farmers markets and roadside stands, is being used more and more by Jersey tomato growers, said David Hlubik, the Rutgers extension agent in Burlington County. The tomato for sale on the stand might have just been picked.

In South Jersey, the sandy loam soil and in central and North Jersey the heavier soil with clay are good for growing tomatoes, Hlubik said.

The tomato harvest tends to peak in August, he said. "You'll still get great tomatoes all through September and early October" until the first frost, he added.

Saturday's event at the Burlington Farmers Market, 500 Centerton Road, Moorestown, will worship the Jersey version of the tomato during the regular hours of 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"The special tomato-themed market day will feature farmers selling varieties of these masterpieces of Jersey Fresh produce, plus plenty of prepared foods with tomatoes as ingredients, and free samples of salsa, tomato pies and roasted tomato bisque," according to the county announcement. 

The county reports that 23 different farms will sell crops on Tomato Day and seven of them will focus on varieties of the Jersey tomatoes. The event also will include 32 food vendors and 11 artists and crafters.

How important are tomatoes to New Jersey's agricultural economy?

In 2025, the value of the crop was nearly $49 million, second only to bell peppers, which brought in nearly $55 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's New Jersey statistics.

In total pounds, tomatoes were No. 3 after bell peppers and sweet corn.