Rutgers Tomato

Rutgers might seem like an odd choice of tomato for our catalog considering the original introduction, in 1934, was a hybrid tomato developed for commercial growers. Despite its provenance, the tomato was tasty and well-suited to home gardens and be came popular. By the 1970s, however, farmers had moved on to tougher tomatoes with less flavor in favor of shipping hardiness and Rutgers was lost.

With the rise in awareness and demand for heirlooms, many folks remembered Rutgers and seed was located and reintroduced. Our seeds, although they can be traced back to the original hybrid, have since been selected and turned into an open-pollinated version of the original.

So, technically, this is not an heirloom. We call it a "commercial" heirloom.

Original Rutgers University Release 1934 http://www.njfarmfresh.rutgers.edu/documents/Rutgerstomatorelease.pdf

Reviving the Jersey Tomato http://www.rutgers.edu/about-rutgers/reviving-jersey-tomato