eFarmers Market

Boort, Victoria

Grower and producer of green tomato products
Family run business reducing carbon footprint 
Vogue Produce Awards, Best New Products 2005

Over almost thirty years of Lanyon's growing tomatoes, Marilyn developed many recipes from red and green tomatoes. But, there was one stand out favourite for family and friends – Simply Green Tomatoes. So after extensive market research domestically and overseas, Ian and Marilyn began Simply Tomatoes journey in 2002.

The family finished supplying the processing factories and became not only the grower, but the manufacturer and the marketer of their specialty green tomato products; selling to the global market directly from their farm at Boort in Central Victoria.

With the development of farming technology, one acre of tomatoes grown with chemical free drip irrigation uses 30% less water than flood irrigation and produces 40 to 60 tonnes per acre. Processing is undertaken in a modern factory located on the farm with a very large underground storage facility providing a cool and stable environment for the storage of bulk product. Maximising use of local resources, assist in minimising their carbon footprint.

The green tomatoes are hand picked and within the hour start their four day process of being preserved in a salt and vinegar brine and finished off in extra virgin olive oil, oregano and garlic. From the tomato seed to the end user, every step is overseen by the Lanyon family. The Simply Tomatoes product range is gluten free, have no artificial colour, flavour or preservatives.

Tourism Accredited, many visitors are welcomed to Simply Tomatoes and enjoy a tour of on farm manufacturing operations of green tomato products and the making of Aussie Wool Quilts from local wool, direct from 'the ewe to you'. Day tours are also co-ordinated by Simply Tomatoes for visitors to the area to enjoy other tourist attractions in and around Boort with a local guide.

All this was made possible through the desire, passion and determination of a great team of family, friends, employees, fellow manufacturers and government bodies. With the motto "take small steps and think big", Marilyn's dream is alive and thriving.