calsfoundation@cals.org
February 21, 2009
With the passage of Act 255 by the Arkansas General Assembly of 1987, the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato became the official state fruit and vegetable. The legislation deemed the designation appropriate since the tomato, though technically a fruit, is consumed as a vegetable. The measure was introduced by Representative John Lipton, whose district included Bradley County, an area long associated with the cultivation of tomatoes.