A perspective from Cullen Schulteis
People are united through many things around the world. Common interests often include sports, movies, and dance, but amazingly… more obscure and niche activities can bring people together. This weekend, I was able to witness the power that a simple tomato holds at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market’s Tomato Day. An annual festival focused on this fruit was able to draw in thousands of people more than any casual day in the market. The event caused large crowds to band together while enjoying this jovial day. For a first-timer, like myself, Tomato Day came as the ultimate surprise. Being able to observe how the community integrated, was a beautiful thing to behold as the festival meant exceedingly more than just a shared love of tomatoes.
I was unaware of Carrboro’s Tomato Day, until I was brought there to volunteer with fellow students attending for the first time. We were tasked with the job of slicing tomatoes and aiding in the sample stations. I continued a personal side mission to learn about the significance of the event. The festivities centered around taste-testing, but so much more. Exploring the activities, I observed overflowing tents, eager shoppers, and rows of fresh produce, which led to the recurring question among myself and my peers: How does a tomato generate this lively of a festival? It seemed absurd that an ordinary fruit could assemble an entire society of people, so I assumed that there was something more to put together this spectacle that couldn’t be seen at first glance.
Tomatoes, while thought of as an everyday food, have a much deeper impact for the local community. Susan Spalt, a long time volunteer of the Carrboro Farmer’s market, was able to illustrate the importance of the event to me, saying, “The town has embraced this (Tomato Day). It is a way to celebrate the 70+ varieties of tomatoes that farmers have grown, and the summer in the area.” It was inspiring to spectate as farmers chatted cheerfully with customers throughout the market. The success of Tomato Day has also created the “Kids Tomato Day” where volunteers were present to help kids enjoy tomato themed coloring and story writing.
Carrboro High School student, Millie Lopez Secena, shared her view on the effects the fruit had, stating, “It’s the tomato’s history that brings the community together. Everyone has been welcoming, and can talk to each other as they are brought together by tomatoes.” Secena shared that her favorite time was to hand out samples, saying, “everyone was friendly, smiling, and very happy for simply tomatoes.” The tomato is not just a food for the people to enjoy, but rather a symbol for the unity among the people during this gathering.
Another Carrboro student, Owen Russell, while volunteering, said, “The tomato is an icon to unite people. It allows for the community to collaborate and talk to each other. Families are together and having a good time as everyone’s very welcoming, friendly, and excited to be here.” These local views were noticed by volunteers experiencing the joyous occasion for the first time. They were able to see how the tomato is what’s advertised for the affair, but the true experience is the unification of thousands of locals to appreciate the jubilee.
Even though the function aids in the admixing of the community, the event helps on a much deeper level. Holding such a large gathering in the Carrboro Framers’ Market allows for an extensive amount of awareness for local farmers to build upon. Through the difficulty of maintaining a farm or small business, Tomato Day provides a time in which many locals’ attention is brought to nearby farms and produce. This contributes to farmers making their highest sales, and a rise of consideration for their businesses. Although it seems strange that tomatoes can do so much for the public, they are actually irreplaceable. Due to their versatile nature, and more than 70 varieties, tomatoes are able to be grown and prepared with the timeline set for a specific date. As the name suggests, Tomato Day wouldn’t be possible without the service that tomatoes give.
Tomato Day administers countless great deeds for the public of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. The local holiday permits good habits to be built as people can see and try fresh food from nearby farms. It grants healthy food to people, and appreciation for farmers. Tomato Day volunteer, Tori Wierzchowski, is the Executive Director of the non profit organization Food Equity Collaborative. This institution advocates for the improvement of health and community through three main focuses: food provision to the community, nutritional education, and the support of local farmers. When asked how it felt to see similar problems that the organization helps, being supported at Tomato Day, Wierzchowski said, “It’s great to see people come here to enjoy fresh food and give profit to local farmers.” Tomato Day isn’t just an amiable scene, but also instills healthful tendencies.
The annual celebration of Tomato Day has delivered a positive environment for a multitude of years, as groups of people merge to wish each other a “happy tomato day” according to Maggie Funkhouser, who was the manager of the farmer’s market for six years. Funkhouser recited her view on the “mini holiday,” saying, “people can learn about tomatoes, and the farmers that grow them. They can see how to cook, preserve, and use the product.” Funkhouser was delighted to see the excellent atmosphere around the farmer’s market, because of the way it highlighted the joy of farmers as well as customers. The incredible experience presented me and many other visitors with an unforgettable memory. Whether coming for the first time, or for many years, Tomato Day possessed an undeniably upbeat mood which passed on to newcomers. Tomato Day will continue to be a point of pleasure for the future of Chapel Hill and Carrboro for many more growing seasons.
Cullen Schulteis is a Chapel Hill High School student, who is contributing writer to Chapelboro. Find this piece, and more of Cullen’s work, on his Substack.
Featured image via Elena Pace.
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