Tomato shortage causing problems for area restaurants and businesses

By By EMMA WRIGHT

Story Created: Mar 8, 2010 at 4:26 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 8, 2010 at 6:19 PM EST

WASHINGTON MILLS, N.Y. (WKTV) - A tomato shortage in Florida is affecting business around the country, including right here in the Mohawk Valley.

Florida is the main source for fresh tomatoes for the United States and this winter, growers lost 70% of their crop during a long January cold snap.

That cold snap has left local restaurants and business are feeling the pinch.

Gino Laurenzo, owner of Rio Grande Tex Mex Grill in Washington Mills, said he is paying triple the price for tomatoes. He goes through about 300 pounds of them per week.

"I'm scrambling, buying from five of six different buyers now, instead of just one or two," Laurenzo said.

According to the Associated Press, the average wholesale price for a 25 pound box of tomatoes is now $30. That is up $6.50 from just one year ago.

Restaurants aren't the only businesses feeling the pinch.

Produce Wholesaler Anthony Ferris of R. Ferris & Sons Inc., in Utica, said sales are way down.

"Many customers are backing off...trying to adjust to the price increases," Ferris said.

The tomato shortage is expected to improve by mid-April.
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