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Tired of tomato shortage? It's ending, official says
Associated Press
Published January 24, 2006
TALLAHASSEE - A bountiful winter harvest should ease the nationwide tomato shortage caused by hurricanes that hit Florida last year, a state official said Monday.
Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said the harvest should soon fill grocery shelves across the nation with tomatoes.
"An unusually large amount of No. 1 tomatoes are ready to go," Bronson said. "The price will be going down, so the average person will be able to afford No. 1, fresh Florida tomatoes."
Hurricane Wilma delayed the harvest when it struck in October, sending tomato prices into the $4-a-pound range, up about $1.50. Some restaurants, including fast-food giant Wendy's International Inc., removed tomatoes unless specifically requested.
Hurricanes made 2005 one of the worst years in recent memory for Florida agriculture. Four storms that struck the state caused an estimated $2.2-billion in damage to crops and farming infrastructure.
[Last modified January 24, 2006, 00:55:20]
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