MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) was proud to host its much-anticipated Annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch on June 25, welcoming guests from across the state to celebrate one of Alabama’s tastiest traditions and the peak of the summer growing season.
The lunch spotlighted Alabama-grown tomatoes, sweet corn, onion and lettuce. It also featured several products manufactured in Alabama including, Golden Flake chips, Blue Bell Ice cream, Flowers Bakery bread, Milo’s tea and Buffalo Rock soft drinks. From farmers and agricultural leaders to lawmakers and local food lovers, everyone was gathered in appreciation of the hardworking farmers and producers who bring fresh, flavorful products to our tables.
“The Tomato Sandwich Lunch is more than a meal. It’s a celebration of our state’s agricultural communities and the importance of supporting local farmers,” said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. “There’s nothing quite like Alabama-grown produce in the summertime.”
The event also served as an opportunity to highlight the Sweet Grown Alabama program, which promotes locally grown products and encourages consumers to buy from Alabama farmers. The Sweet Grown Alabama team hosted a pop-up farmers market just outside the Tomato Sandwich Lunch as an exclusive opportunity for members of the program. Attendees had the chance to browse and purchase a variety of locally made and homegrown products, including produce, beef, pork and dairy products, honey, homemade jams and jellies, pecans and more.
In partnership with Wallace State Community College and Sweet Grown Alabama, ADAI also served fried green tomato samples from a food truck, featuring local green tomatoes prepared by a local chef.
The ADAI’s annual lunch is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture in Alabama’s economy and culture. This annual lunch pays tribute to the hardworking growers who cultivate the products we enjoy.
The 2025 Tomato Sandwich Lunch sponsors included:
- McKenzie Farms, Fairhope (corn)
- Aplin Farms, Slocomb (tomatoes)
- Panther Creek Produce, Luverne (onions)
- Extreme Green Farms, Auburn (lettuce)
- Flowers Bakery (bread)
- Milo’s Tea (tea, lemonade)
- Bud's Cookies (cookies)
- Buffalo Rock (Pepsi, bottled water)
- Blue Bell (ice cream)
- Utz (chips)
- Golden Flake (chips)
- Mehearg Farms, Wetumpka (flowers)
- Wrights Produce, Montgomery (ferns, flowers)
- Alabama Grocers Association