Pittston Tomato Festival Celebrates Local Heritage

Recent advancements in CRISPR gene editing at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) are enabling faster breeding of crops, including the toxic purple prickly tomato species, by eliminating undesirable traits like thorns. This technology could help scale up semi-domesticated indigenous crops, improving food production efficiency. Meanwhile, the 33rd annual Tomato & Vine Festival in Fairfield celebrated the county's tomato crop, showcasing local activities and vendors, despite some attendees expressing frustration over a lack of tomatoes on the final day of the event. In Pittston, the Tomato Festival featured a variety of activities including a parade and a spaghetti-eating contest, contributing to the revitalization of the downtown area. Additionally, Underwood Family Farms is promoting a pick-your-own Roma tomato event, further emphasizing the summer's culinary focus on tomatoes. Collectively, these events and innovations highlight the cultural and agricultural significance of tomatoes in various regions.