Fresh tomatoes are finally in season throughout the U.S., but nothing comes even close to the pleasure of eating a salad or sandwich made with a fresh, locally grown Jersey tomato.

Recognizing the economic importance of the tomato to our state, a bill was introduced, albeit unsuccessfully, in the state Legislature to declare the tomato as our official state vegetable. Botanically, the tomato is a berry and therefore a fruit. The blueberry is already our state fruit, but that is another story.