NatureFresh to grow 'world's smallest tomatoes'

Move over grape tomatoes, there’s a smaller tomato in town.

NatureFresh Farms will grow and market pearl-sized Tomberry tomatoes in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., after the greenhouse grower entered into an agreement with Eminent Seeds, based in The Netherlands.

The two companies formalized the agreement at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit show in New Orleans, according to a news release. NatureFresh plans to begin growing the miniscule tomatoes next spring in Leamington, Ontario.

As the trend for snacking on fruits and vegetable expands, NatureFresh plans to expand production of the trademarked tomato variety, according to the release.

“The Tomberry is unique in size and has caught the interest of our retail partners,” Matt Quiring, executive retail sales manager for NatureFresh, said in the release. “The snacking trend in North America has exploded and we continue to search for new items that will help grow our snacking category.”

Dubbed the “world’s smallest tomato” by the company, the tomatoes are about half- to one-centimeter in diameter and can be used in salads, hot dishes and snacking.

“This is a perfect fit to complement our Tomz snacking category and our brand strategy,” NatureFresh president and owner Peter Quiring said in the release. “ … Our research team works hard at identifying these new varieties that taste exceptional, and we look forward to the new opportunities they provide for future customers.

The company is working on branding and packaging for the new variety, available next spring.