All-Tomato Luncheon celebrates Bradley County’s famous fruit (and vegetable)

WARREN — Bradley County is the place for all things tomato – for growing them, cooking them, and eating them. And Bradley County’s Extension Homemakers Club knows all about cooking them — in ways one might not expect.
The Extension Homemakers Council’s annual All-Tomato Luncheon, part of the 69th annual Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival — celebrates just how delicious and versatile the state’s official fruit and vegetable can be — as an entrée, a side and even as dessert.
Nearly 200 guests gathered at First Methodist Church in Warren and feasted on chicken salad with sliced tomatoes, green bean almondine with green tomatoes, “tomarinated” carrots —marinated in tomato juice — tomato basil crackers, and for dessert — Heavenly Tomato Cake, a chocolatey cake that has tomato juice in the cake and icing.
While the menu may vary from year to year, the tomato cake is a staple. The recipe is that of the late Jean Frisby, a former Bradley County extension agent who organized the first tomato luncheon in 1957. Extension Homemakers have continued the tradition, said Judy Simmons, who chaired this year’s luncheon.
Simmons also baked an 11x13 tomato cake that was auctioned at the luncheon. State Sen. Ben Gilmore and State Rep. Jeff Wardlaw pooled their money to buy it for $1,500. Proceeds help support EHC community service projects and programs.
A 20-pound box of Bradley County’s finest was also auctioned and sold for $3,100 to Thomas Frazer. Proceeds from the tomato auction helps support future festivals.
Festival rooted in agriculture
Shane Gadberry, head of agricultural and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service who was the luncheon keynote speaker, said the festival grew out of the agricultural success of farmers, calling them “the boots on the ground doing the work.”
“Without farmers, the UA land-grant system would have a mission without a purpose,” he said. “Farmers are vital to our economy.”

Bradley County accounts for much of the commercial tomato production in Arkansas, said John Gavin, Bradley County extension staff chair and agriculture agent, who works with tomato growers.
In fact, there’s a bit of a competition among growers to deliver the first box of picked tomatoes to the Bradley County Extension Office, signaling an official start to tomato season. This year Westin Clanton of Clanton Farms in Hermitage, Arkansas delivered the first box — a batch of Cherokee Purples — on May 19. He was honored at the tomato luncheon, along with Bradley County’s Farm Family of the Year — Richard and Karen McDougald.
Extension Homemakers’ long history
Bradley County EHC have hosted the All-Tomato Luncheon for 68 of the festival’s 69 years.
Extension Homemakers Clubs, however, date back more than a century, beginning in 1912 when Arkansas’ first canning club was started. The club and others like it later became Home Demonstration Clubs and were recognized for their work sharing relevant information through demonstrations to women in rural communities on topics important to farm life.
Today, education, leadership and community service remain the foundation of Extension Homemakers Clubs, part of the Cooperative Extension Service.
“It’s also about the comradery and connection with the women,” Simmons, the lunch chairman said. For more than 25 years, she’s been an EHC member, as was her mother and now her daughter.
It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work too,” she said. “Now that the luncheon is over, we’ll be taking a break. July is our fun month!”
To find an EHC club in your area, visit www.uaex.uada.edu/ehc or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.