Tomato Festival

Taste some of the 30 to 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes grown at the farm — old-timey varieties grown for flavor, not for looks or shipping ability. Chefs from around the Southeast will demonstrate and offer tastings of their favorite tomato recipes. Enjoy tours of the farm, and learn more about organic farming in the state and about Grow Alabama, the farmer-to-consumer cooperative that delivers fresh produce to your door while helping Alabama farmers.

The festival is free, but for $5 you can enjoy a picnic lunch of Grow Alabama founder Jerry Spencer’s famous gourmet heirloom tomato sandwiches around the scenic lake. You also can buy heirloom tomatoes and other Alabama vegetables and farm products to take home. U-pick tomatoes will be available, as well. (Quantities may be limited depending on the bounty of this summer’s harvest, so come early for the best selection.)

Mt. Laurel Organic Gardens, a Grow Alabama farm, is located off of Hwy. 280 south of Birmingham. To get there, take Hwy. 280 east past Inverness and Greystone, over Double Oak Mountain to County Rd. 41 (Dunnavant Valley Rd.) Turn left (at the Town of Mt. Laurel sign) and go 1.5 miles. The farm is on the right, with parking available across the street. For more information, call (205) 991-0042.