Imagine working tirelessly for months to grow a beautiful harvest, only to watch tons of it go to waste. This is the heartbreaking reality our local tomato farmers are facing right now. An oversupply of tomatoes and a lack of buyers mean crate upon crate of fresh, ripe tomatoes are left unsold. Instead of reaching our kitchens and tables, many of these tomatoes are being thrown away. For the farmers who poured their sweat and heart into growing them, it’s not just food being wasted – it’s their livelihood.

The Real Problem: Tomatoes Going to Waste

This isn’t just about a surplus of tomatoes; it’s about our farmers struggling to survive. When markets can’t absorb all the produce, farmers are forced to sell at dirt-cheap prices or let mountains of tomatoes rot. We’ve heard stories of hardworking growers having to dump entire truckloads of perfectly good tomatoes because there’s simply no one to buy them. It’s a cruel irony that while these farmers face ruin from unsold crops, there are communities that could benefit from this abundance. The issue highlights a gap in our food system – and it’s a gap we as a community need to bridge, together.

Mama Lou’s Role: Supporting, Not Selling

At Mama Lou’s, we have always believed that a restaurant isn’t just about food – it’s about people. We’re part of this community first and a business second. When we learned about the tomato oversupply crisis, we knew we had to act not as a marketing move, but as neighbors who care. That’s why we launched our “Save the Tomatoes” initiative, focused on helping farmers rather than promoting our menu.

Our commitment is simple and sincere: we are purchasing 2 tons of locally-grown tomatoes every week from our farmers. These tomatoes, which might otherwise end up wasted, are now finding a home in our kitchen. We’re incorporating them into our cooking, preserving what we can, and ensuring every tomato is put to good use. This isn’t about creating a new special or boosting sales; it’s about doing the right thing. We want to be clear and transparent: this is a long-term pledge to buy 2 tons per week, rain or shine, whether or not it makes headlines. We know it’s not a solution to the entire problem, but it’s our way of saying “we’ve got your back” to the farmers who feed us.

And let’s be honest – 2 tons a week is only a fraction of what’s out there. We’re humbled by that fact. We’re not here to take credit or act like heroes; we’re here to stand shoulder to shoulder with the real heroes – the farmers. They are at the heart of this story. Our role is just to support them in any way we can, no strings attached.

A Collective Effort: How We Can All Help

We firmly believe that real change takes a village. Mama Lou’s alone can’t save all the tomatoes, and our farmers need all the support they can get. The good news is everyone in the community can play a part – not just as customers, but as caring neighbors. Here are a few ways we can all help turn this situation around together:

Choose local produce: Whether at your neighborhood market or grocery store, opt for locally-grown tomatoes and other produce. Your choice to buy local means farmers can sell their harvest instead of discarding it.

Spread the word: Simply talking about this issue raises awareness. Share the story of our farmers’ tomato surplus with friends, family, and on social media. The more people know about the problem, the more minds can come together to find solutions.

Support community initiatives: There are groups and volunteers organizing to rescue excess crops (tomatoes and more) from being wasted. Supporting these initiatives – by donating, volunteering, or even just encouraging them – amplifies the impact.

Encourage businesses to get involved: If you run a restaurant, canteen, or even a small eatery, consider sourcing some ingredients directly from local farmers, especially when there’s an oversupply. Every additional buyer for these tomatoes means fewer will go to waste. Likewise, patrons can encourage their favorite eateries or stores to buy local produce.


Every action, no matter how small, adds up. Even just choosing that extra kilo of tomatoes at the market or telling a friend about what’s happening can make a difference. This is a collective effort, and collectively is how we’ll succeed.

Join the Cause as a Community

Our Save the Tomatoes initiative isn’t a one-time campaign or a promotional gimmick – it’s a call to action for all of us. We invite you to join this cause not as customers, but as fellow community members who care. When you support local farmers in any of the ways above (or find new creative ways to help), you become part of the solution. You become part of a community that refuses to let good food go to waste or let our farmers struggle alone.

We’re incredibly grateful to live in a community that rallies together in times of need. This effort has shown us that when one of us is