Backyard Farms head grower resigns
Madison-based Backyard Farms, which has had to destroy two crops of tomato plants this summer, announced on Monday its head grower, Tim de Kok, has resigned.
The Kennebec Journal reported that de Kok’s resignation was a planned departure and was not related to a series of problems Backyard Farms has had with its crop of greenhouse tomatoes this season. The company, which supplies tomatoes to retailers including Hannaford, Walmart and Whole Foods, had destroyed its first crop of nearly half a million tomato plants in July after they were infested with whiteflies. A second crop was destroyed because it did not meet quality standards
The paper reported that Backyard Farms said it was in the process of searching for a replacement for de Kok.
Michael Aalto, a spokesman for Backyard Farms, last week said that Backyard Farms’ tomatoes won't be available in stores until early 2014. All but essential personnel are expected to take furlough days, including management, Aalto noted, but the exact number of employees affected by the move is still undetermined.
The company typically produces more than 27 million pounds of tomatoes a year in its Madison greenhouses and is the only year-round tomato grower in New England.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments