LOCAL GROWERS TO WIN AT POULSBO FARMERS MARKET’S 5TH ANNUAL TOMATO TASTE OFF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


LOCAL GROWERS TO WIN AT POULSBO FARMERS MARKET’S 5TH ANNUAL TOMATO TASTE OFF

Tomato Salsa Contest Offers Opportunity for Non-Growers to Win Local Recognition at MorMor Bistro

Poulsbo, WA. –September 5th 2008 – The Poulsbo Farmers Market today announced that entry forms are now available for participation in the 5th Annual Tomato Taste Off to be held at the market on Saturday, September 13th. This year’s event, sponsored by Poulsbo-based Kitchen Karousel, Marina Market, and MorMor Bistro, is open to both hobby and professional growers in three categories: Cooking/Canning Tomatoes, Cherry/Pear Tomatoes, and Slicing/Salad Tomatoes.

Local growers interested in participating in the Tomato Taste Off should show up on September 13th between 9 and 10am and submit their tomatoes along with a completed entry form (available at http://www.poulsbofarmersmarket.org) per variety entered. There is no fee to enter the contest, no limit to the number of entries per person, and no need to pre-register.

John Nesby, Chef/Owner of MorMor Bistro in Poulsbo and member of the Poulsbo Farmers Market board, will serve as host for the 5th Annual Tomato Taste Off. All tomatoes will be judged for overall appearance, color and taste by a panel that includes: Poulsbo’s own Mayor Kathryn Quade; Peg Tillery, Horticulture Coordinator, WSU Kitsap Co-operative Extension; Chris Dunagan, Kitsap Sun Environmental Reporter; Brad Watts, owner of Valley Nursery; and Shalene Mitchell (daughter of Marlene Mitchell) representing Kitsap Bank and Central Kitsap High School.

The grand prize winner and first place winner in each category will be announced at noon and awarded bounty baskets featuring products from market vendors and event sponsors.

For those who don’t grow tomatoes, the Poulsbo Farmers Market is conducting a Tomato Salsa Recipe contest in conjunction with the 5th Annual Tomato Taste Off. The winner of the Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe contest will be announced at the market at noon on Saturday, September 13th, and the winning recipe will be featured on the MorMor Bistro menu the weekend of September 14 – 16, 2007. For contest guidelines and other details, visit http://www.poulsbofarmersmarket.org.

Growers interested in learning more about the 5th Annual Tomato Taste Off, including contest guidelines, can visit http://www.poulsbofarmersmarket.org, call market manager Jackie Aitchison at 360-779-6720, visit Jackie at the Saturday market, or visit one of the event sponsors for more details: Kitchen Karousel, Marina Market, and MorMor Bistro.

About the Poulsbo Farmers Market
The Poulsbo Farmers Market is a seasonal market offering fresh, locally-grown produce, prepared foods and hand-crafted products direct to the Kitsap community. Launched in 2004, the Poulsbo Market has some 40 vendors today. The market hosts a wide range of family and food-oriented programs, including live entertainment, chef demos, taste tests, and youth activities. The market is open Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm from mid-April to mid-October each year, and is located in the Poulsbo Village Medical/Dental Center parking lot at the corner of Iverson and 7th Avenue in Poulsbo. For more information about the Poulsbo Farmers Market contact 360-779-6720, email info@poulsbofarmersmarket.org, or visit http://www.poulsbofarmersmarket.org.

Media Contact:
Annie Eissler (Poulsbo Farmers Market Board Member)Mixtur Interactive, 866-268-3994 x2238, annie@mixtur.com

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