Heirloom vegetables offer growers new sales opportunities

Heirloom vegetables are gaining in popularity among consumers and restaurants and Univ. of Fla. officials believe these crops could be profitable for growers. Danielle Treadwell, assistant professor with Univ. of Fla.’s Institute of Food and Ag Sciences said heirloom crops are generally defined as varieties that have been developed through traditional breeding and have been available for at least 50 years. She said these vegetables often work well for small- and medium-sized growers who sell their products locally.
Ann Foss, president of Eden Organic Nursery Services in Hallandale, Fla., said she has seen an increase in business from specialty growers who sell to restaurants and consumers at farmers’ markets. Foss said the heirlooms may look and taste different from those varieties commonly produced by large-scale growers. These commercial varieties are often selected because of their postharvest qualities and ability to withstand long-distance shipping.
One of the concerns about heirloom varieties is seed availability. Foss said she is increasingly having a difficult time securing seed from when she started her business 15 years ago. National organizations, including Seed Savers Exchange, collect and produce heirloom plant seed. The organization maintains more than 25,000 heirloom vegetable varieties and produces its own seed.