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May 16, 2024
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Fresh Tomatoes (USDA -TEFAP sites only)
For the next few months (thru the end of July) there will be Fresh Tomatoes available to USDA-TEFAP sites (as well as a few others). See below for some tips on storage of the tomatoes and the shelf life. We offer these to help Partners plan their orders as well as gain some knowledge on storing this desirable yet fragile produce item. OFB may give more tips as the season (and warehouse temps) progress!
These tomatoes are loose in 25 pound boxes. Within each case the tomatoes will be mostly in the "Pink" stage, although there maybe some that are "Turning" or "light red to Red". (see attached document for images). Oregon Food Bank will be storing these at our warehouse ambient temperature (65-75 degrees). Ideally for the longest shelf life these tomatoes want to be stored at 50 and 70 degrees, but none of us (OFB Warehouses and Partner Agencies) have storage at that temperature at this time of year.
Below is the expected "Days to ripeness" of tomatoes if they are stored around 70 degrees:
- Green: 21-28 days
- Turning to Pink 7-14 days
- Light red to Red: 2-4 days
Once tomatoes are ripe there are a variety of opinions on whether to put them in the fridge/cooler or not. I've already been caught between my Oma and my Auntie in that argument so I (Laura) have no advice to give on the matter!
- Green tomatoes = 65-70 °
- Pink = 50-55 °
- Red = 50 °
- Slow ripening of pink fruit to red = 58-60°
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