Community and Support
In a complex agricultural marketplace where margins are slim and farmers often feel powerless, Red Tomato believes in a different approach. We don't just buy and sell produce—we partner with farmers to ensure their work is truly valued.
The Dignity Deal
The Dignity Deal is our commitment to fair, transparent pricing that respects the hard work, expertise, and economic realities of our regional farmers. The idea of “doing right” by farmers and farm workers is core to our organization. There is no formula for fair pricing in produce.
In addition to tracking market trends, competition and buyer requirements, we work directly with growers on pricing their products.
Our first question is “How much would you like to be paid for your product?” And then: “How low can we go without compromising your dignity?” That’s it. If the price goes too low, we agree to walk away from the deal. If there’s more to gain without overpricing, we’ll shoot for that. The farmer is with us from the start, not waiting for us to tell them what they’ll receive.
Connecting Farmers and Consumers
At Red Tomato, we believe great produce tells a story. Our food hub bridges the gap between innovative farmers across the Eastern and Central US, and forward-thinking retailers, delivering produce that represents the best of regional agriculture.
We offer more than just fruits and vegetables—we provide a connection to the farms, farmers, and sustainable practices that make our produce unique.
By partnering with Red Tomato, retailers can offer their customers high-quality, locally grown produce with a meaningful narrative.
Cultivating Opportunity for Mid-Sized Farms
Our food hub is designed to solve the challenges facing small and mid-sized farms in today’s complex agricultural marketplace. As a nonprofit food distribution organization, we work directly with farmers to address the most pressing challenges in regional agriculture: market access, fair pricing, and connecting quality produce with buyers who appreciate its value.
We understand that mid-sized farms are the backbone of our regional food system, yet they face significant obstacles:
- Consolidation of food distribution
- Competition from large-scale agricultural operations
- Limited market access
- Narrow profit margins
Our approach goes beyond simple transactions. We build partnerships that help you:
- Expand your market reach
- Receive fair compensation for your produce
- Connect with buyers who value local, high-quality fruits and vegetables
- Reduce the complexity of wholesale distribution
Whether you’re growing vegetables, fruits, or specialty crops, we’re committed to creating sustainable opportunities for regional farmers.
Marketing Support
We know that great produce is only part of the equation. At Red Tomato, we help farmers tell their stories, connect with buyers, and showcase the incredible work happening on their farms.
As an EcoCertified® grower you benefit from the marketing, visibility and brand recognition of the entire network. The more growers, customers and Red Tomato promote EcoCertified, the more value that recognition has for everyone in the supply chain, from farm to consumer.
Our marketing support goes beyond traditional sales. We provide resources, point of sale materials, and strategic guidance to help you effectively market your EcoCertified produce. From easy-to-understand brochures and posters that explain EcoCertified to your customers, to communication strategies that highlight your farm’s unique approach, we’ve developed tools to help you communicate the value of your farm.