Keep it Clean, Lycopene

Tomatoes are the most potent source of the carotenoid lycopene, which has been well-studied for its powerful antioxidant effects that support cardiovascular and bone health, skin and prostate health, and brain health.^{3 4 5} Since lycopene is fat-soluble, it’s best to pair tomatoes with olive oil or other healthy fat for best absorption, and of course, make your tomatoes organic! Studies show that organic tomatoes contain higher concentrations of nutrients like vitamin C and lycopene compared to conventional tomatoes.⁶

Though California grows most of the US’s tomatoes, Florida comes in second as a major producer of winter tomatoes. But because Florida’s environment is not exactly ideal for tomatoes, as Barry Estabrook writes in his book Tomatoland, in order to grow successfully, conventional growers must “pump the sand full of chemical fertilizers and … blast the plants with more than 100 different herbicides and pesticides, including some of the most toxic in agribusiness’s arsenal.”⁷ And indeed, testing by the USDA has found as many as 35 different residues on conventional tomatoes; these pesticides can’t be washed off or peeled away because many are systemic and make their way into the tomato’s flesh and seeds.⁸ 

Biodiversity Means Making Friends with Fungi

Biodiversity is the keystone to healthy, thriving, sustainable agricultural systems. Researchers in Japan studied four farms, two organic and two conventional, to investigate the impact of each system on soil microbiomes and biodiversity. The results were clear: organic farming methods led to healthier, richer, more biodiverse soil.⁹ The researchers found organic farms had a much greater presence of beneficial fungi that help tomato crops grow and even emit pathogen-deterring chemicals—nature’s own intelligence!¹⁰ Organic farming methods embrace nature’s intelligence and nourish the lives that thrive in soil,  in turn, supporting healthy, successful crop yields. 

What’s in a Can?

When you hear the tinging metallic ring of the can opener carefully cranking open fire roasted tomatoes, you know you’re about to eat something good. Canned tomatoes form the base of so many recipes, but does it matter if they’re organic? Yes! We often talk about the importance of organic in terms of fresh fruits and vegetables, but these standards apply beyond the field as well, especially when it comes to processing. For example, as part of the canning process, tomatoes are often peeled first—organic tomatoes are peeled using hot steam, but about 30 percent of conventional producers use chemicals like lye in a process called caustic peeling—yuck!^{11 12}

Whether they’re canned or fresh, choosing organic tomatoes means choosing the healthiest option, for you and the soil!

Try Our Summer’s Best Tomato Salad Recipe

It’s peak tomato season and tomatoes are at their most vibrant—bursting with color, sweetness, and rich flavor—making them the perfect star for this bright and beautiful salad. This show-stopping dish offers a delightful medley of earthy, tangy, and savory notes, with juicy tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and warm spices, balanced by salty feta and crisp pita crackers.

GET THE RECIPE

References

1. Erika, C., Griebel, S., Naumann, M., & Pawelzik, E. (2020). Biodiversity in tomatoes: Is it reflected in nutrient density and nutritional yields under organic outdoor production? Frontiers in Plant Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.589692
2. Estabrook, B. (2011). Tomatoland: How modern industrial agriculture destroyed our most alluring fruit. https://civileats.com/2011/06/22/the-indignity-of-industrial-tomatoes/
3. Shi, J., & Maguer, M. L. (2000). Lycopene in tomatoes: chemical and physical properties affected by food processing. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 40(1), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408690091189275
4. “Lycopene.” Lycopene – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect,com/topics/neuroscience/lycopene
5. PCC Community Markets. (2017, October 3). Lycopene | PCC Community Markets. https://www.pccmarkets.com/taste/2013-09/nutritionist-lycopene/
6. A tale of two tomatoes. (2013, February 23). CSANR; Washington State University. https://csanr.wsu.edu/a-tale-of-two-tomatoes/#:~:text=The%20differences….
7. Estabrook, B. (2011). Tomatoland: How modern industrial agriculture destroyed our most alluring fruit. https://civileats.com/2011/06/22/the-indignity-of-industrial-tomatoes/
8. Lin, Z., Fu, X., Zheng, K., Han, S., Chen, C., & Ye, D. (2024). Cellulose surface nanoengineering for visualizing food safety. Nano Letters, 24(33), 10016–10023. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01513
9. Organic farming promotes healthier and more diverse soil fungal communities | The Organic Center. (n.d.). https://www.organic-center.org/research/organic-farming-promotes-health…
10. Nam, B., Lee, H. J., & Choi, Y. J. (2023). Organic Farming Allows Balanced Fungal and Oomycetes                Communities. Microorganisms, 11(5), 1307. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051307
11. Natural Grocers. (2024, September 12). Meet your farmer: field to can [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V_0Ove7iP0
12. Garcia, E., & Barrett, D. M. (2006). Peelability and yield of processing tomatoes by steam or lye. Journal of food processing and preservation, 30(1), 3-14.