Massachusetts
Farmers from North Easton, Raynham, Ipswich, and Sharon win Massachusetts Tomato Contest – The Boston Globe
Four farms placed first Tuesday in the Massachusetts Tomato Contest, which aims to encourage people to buy locally-grown produce during the peak harvest season.
Langwater Farm in North Easton, Freedom Food Farm in Raynham, Russell Orchards in Ipswich, and Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon took home the top prizes for cherry bomb, speckled roman, oxheart tomatoes, and other juicy varieties, according to the statement.
The Boston Public Market Association hosted the 39th annual contest, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association.
State agricultural commissioner Ashley Randle urged people to show support for farmers and “take advantage” of the fresh tomatoes.
“Late summer is the peak harvest season in Massachusetts which includes tomatoes that our growers have spent a lot of time and effort to produce one of the most delicious local crops available to consumers,” Randle said in a statement.
A panel of food writers, produce experts, and state officials, judged entries on flavor, firmness and slicing quality, exterior color, and shape , the statement said.
The tastiest and best-looking tomatoes were presented by 108 entries from 24 farms located across Massachusetts, the statement said. Approximately 5.9 million pounds of tomatoes are produced every year on 739 farms and 520 acres of land at a value of nearly $10 million dollars in the state, according to the statement.
Trevor Hardy, president of the New England Vegetable and Grower’s Association, said long winters in New England can be challenging for farmers.
“The best compliment is when a customer says, ‘These taste like the tomatoes from my grandmother’s garden when I was a kid,’” he said. “Our tomatoes don’t have to travel very far to get to our customers so we can grow unique heirloom varieties meant for shipping, and for customers, it can be a real summer treat.”
Cheryl Cronin, chief executive officer of the Boston Public Market, said it was an honor to host the competition and showcase the hard work of farmers.
“In New England, we count down to tomato season all summer long and we’re thrilled to celebrate and honor our local farmers,” she said.
Kiera McDonald can be reached at kiera.mcdonald@globe.com.
Massachusetts
UConn Final Four run could trigger a $50M furniture giveaway for Massachusetts-based Jordan’s Furniture
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More than four decades ago, Eliot Tatelman worked with his father at a New England furniture store. He likely never expected that, years later, a bold bet tied to the 2007 World Series run by the Boston Red Sox would land him on a championship float alongside the franchise’s biggest stars.
As the parade wound through Boston’s streets, some attendees held signs that said “Thanks for the free furniture,” a nod to the retailer’s promotion.
Now, Tatelman’s Jordan’s Furniture is revisiting the idea with a similar promotion, betting on how far UConn’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will advance in this year’s NCAA Division I tournaments.
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Braylon Mullins (24) of the UConn Huskies celebrates after shooting the game-winning 3-point basket during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena March 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The retailer promised refunds totaling up to roughly $50 million if both Huskies teams reach — and then lose — their respective national title games. Eligible furniture must have been purchased from Jordan’s Furniture between Jan. 20 and March 1, according to the company’s website.
2026 NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SELECTIONS REVEALED
Tatelman served as the furniture retailer’s CEO, but the family-run business’s day-to-day operations continue to be overseen by his children.
The UConn women’s team faces South Carolina Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Phoenix, while the men’s team meets Illinois Saturday in Indianapolis.
The UConn Huskies are awarded the Fort Worth Regional trophy after their win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Dickies Arena March 29, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Chris Jones/Imagn Images)
“We have insurance,” Tatelman told USA Today Sports. “We want them to win.”
There are two Jordan’s Furniture locations in Storrs, Connecticut.
Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates with Jayden Ross (23) and Malachi Smith (0) of the UConn Huskies after Mullins shot the game-winning 3-point basket during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena March 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Tatelman reflected on the Red Sox promotion, recalling the bold offer that helped define the campaign.
“We said, ‘Come into Jordan’s and buy a sofa, a bed, a mattress, a dining room table,’” he said. “And if the Red Sox win the World Series, it’ll all be free.’”
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The Red Sox’s four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series ended up costing the furniture company roughly $35 million. Tatelman said he “bought insurance for it.”
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