Restaurants grapple with tomato shortage

ALBANY — BLT lover’s might be a little surprised to find a little less “T” in the classic sandwich for the next month or two as area restaurants grapple with a shortage of tomatoes and a hike in prices for the ones they can get.

Tomatoes have taken a hard hit because of the unusually frigid weather in Florida. The Sunshine State is the main U.S. source for fresh winter tomatoes, but the hard freeze across northern and central Florida have caused tomato growers to lose much of their winter harvest.

During January’s cold snap, tomato growers are reported to have lost about 70 percent of their crop.

Bruce Young, owner of Po Boys Produce Market on North Washington Street, said the reason for the shortage during March is because of Florida tomato growers harvest times.

“All the stuff that was supposed to come off in March got hammered by the cold, so they (growers) lost most of it,” he said. “The growers were telling us (wholesalers) that this was going to happen, so we were ready for it.”

Tommy McDowell, owner of Tommy Mc’s Produce on Lake Park Drive, said the harsh winter not only affected tomatoes, but other vegetables as well.

“It (the cold weather) did a number on the vegetables in Florida. Everything was affected by it — squash, strawberries, cucumbers,” he said.

McDowell said he hasn’t seen much of a decrease in the demand for tomatoes despite the price spike. Suppliers and grocery stores have had to pay extra to import tomatoes from other growing regions, like Mexico and California.

“There are some things that people will buy regardless of how high the price goes,” he said. “I haven’t had anyone yet hold back from buying tomatoes.”

McDowell said in his 30 years of working in produce he has seen higher prices for tomatoes than what is being charged now.

Richard Smith, owner of the Subway downtown, said his business has had to absorb the cost of tomatoes.

“We’re just kind of sucking it up,” he said. “We have been using different varieties, but the price has still gone up significantly.”

Carol Harris of Terry Lee’s Olde World Sandwich on West Broad Avenue said the price of tomatoes has doubled since last week.

“Last week we bought a box of tomatoes for $14 and this week we bought two boxes that were $44 each,” she said.

Harris said they have been getting their tomatoes mostly from Mexico.

Both Subway and Terry Lee’s said they are committed to keeping tomatoes available on sandwiches.

Several Wendy’s and Burger King restaurants have been posting signs in their windows advising customers that tomatoes will be included on burgers and salads by request only.

The good news for tomato lovers is that the shortage should end quickly. Meteorologists are forecasting warmer temperatures for the latter part of March and the beginning of April, when Florida tomato growers have their next harvest.

“Two to four weeks from now, everything will be sorted out,” said McDowell. “The good thing is everyday is a day closer to Spring where the next harvest will be better.”

“It’s (the shortage) at its peak,” Young said. “Tomatoes are a very popular item.”