There's Something About The Soil

    Grainger County in northeastern Tennessee has been known
for at least a century for its flavorful, "fresh-from-the-garden" tasting tomatoes.  Most attribute the great taste of Grainger County tomatoes to the decomposition of limestone in the soil and the selection of special garden-type varieties that are allowed to ripen on the vine.  The Grainger County growing season begins in early April with greenhouse tomatoes and extends to late October/early November depending on the weather.

A Family Tradition

    The Ritter family has been involved in farming, especially growing tomatoes since the early 1970's.  Ritter Farms is a second-generation family farm owned and operated by Stanley and Tonya Ritter.  In addition to those great-tasting Grainger County tomatoes, the Ritters grow a variety of garden vegetables which can be purchased as they're brought out of the field at the Big Red Barn on Hwy 11W between Bean Station and Rutledge, Tennessee.