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Now is the perfect time to enjoy vipe-ripe tomatoes, as peak season is July –September. Tomatoes are very high in Vitamin C and are famous for their lycopene content. Lycopene is a powerful nutrient with antioxidant and cancer-prevention abilities; it is also considered to play a key role in heart health. Tomatoes are also a good source of potassium and Vitamin A, and they are low on the glycemic index meaning consumption will not cause insulin to spike to dangerous levels.

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? In botanical terms, a tomato is a fruit, but that classification didn’t stop the U.S. Supreme Court from declaring the tomato a vegetable in 1893. Tomatoes are known as the state vegetable of New Jersey. It is important to note that as a member of the “nightshade” family, along with eggplant, white potatoes, bell peppers and other fruits/vegetables, tomatoes can aggravate arthritic conditions by contributing to excessive loss of calcium from bones.

There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes and there are some upcoming opportunities to taste the differences and see which one(s) you like the best. On August 22, visit the following Farmers’ Markets to conduct your very own Tomato Taste Test:

NY Hall of Science Farmers' Market (Queens) 111th St. and 48th Ave. off Corona Ave., Corona (Street Address: 47-01 111th Street) Noon – 2:00pm

[Dumbo Farmers' Market (Brooklyn)] (http://www.communitymarkets.biz/market.php?market=26) at The Triangle Between Pearl Street and Anchorage Place (Street Address: Near 62 Pearl Street) Noon - 2:00pm

[Park Slope Farmers' Market (Brooklyn)] (http://www.communitymarkets.biz/market.php?market=16) 5th Ave. and 4th Street in Front of JJ Byrne Park (Street Address: Near 337 5th Avenue) Noon - 2:00pm

When selecting tomatoes, look for smooth skin with no bruises. Store ripe tomatoes in a cool, dark place. Whole tomatoes do not need to be refrigerated; sliced tomatoes should be. Enjoy!