What Is the Arkansas State Fruit?
What Is the Arkansas State Fruit?
The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato. Yes, a tomato. And before you start the "is it a fruit or a vegetable" debate, Arkansas settled it in 1987 when the state legislature officially designated the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato as the state fruit and the state vegetable. It holds both titles, which makes it one of the most unique state food symbols in the entire country.
The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato is recognized as both a fruit and vegetable, reflecting its dual status in both botanical and culinary contexts. Botanically, a tomato is considered a large berry. The classification of tomatoes as fruits or vegetables has legal implications in the United States, where tomatoes are legally classified as vegetables.
If you've ever bitten into a vine ripe pink tomato fresh from an Arkansas garden in the middle of July, you understand why this fruit earned the double honor. These aren't your average grocery store tomatoes. They're big, juicy, sweet, and have that deep pink color that tells you they were grown right. The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato represents everything about summer in the Natural State.
How the Vine Ripe Pink Tomato Became Arkansas's Official State Fruit
The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato was designated as both the official state fruit and state vegetable of Arkansas in 1987 by Act 641 of the Arkansas General Assembly. The tomato had been a major crop in southern Arkansas for decades before it earned the official title, and local growers had built a reputation for producing some of the best pink tomatoes in the country.
The push to make it official came from the farming communities in Bradley, Cleveland, and Drew counties in southern Arkansas. These areas had been growing and shipping vine ripe pink tomatoes since the early 1900s, and by the mid-20th century the region was known nationwide for the quality of its tomatoes. The legislature recognized what the farmers already knew. The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato was something special.
The dual designation as both a fruit and a vegetable was a clever move. Botanically, a tomato is a fruit. Culinarily, most people treat it as a vegetable. Arkansas decided not to pick sides and gave it both titles instead.
Arkansas's Official State Symbols
Arkansas has a rich collection of official state symbols that reflect the state's natural beauty and cultural identity. The mockingbird is the state bird. The pine tree is the state tree. The apple blossom is the state flower. The white-tailed deer is the state mammal, and the largemouth bass holds the title of state fish. Animals like the white-tailed deer hold a special place among the state's official symbols.
The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato fits right alongside these symbols as a representation of what makes Arkansas special. While most states designate either a fruit or a vegetable, Arkansas did both with the same plant. It's a fitting choice for a state that has always had strong ties to agriculture and farming.
For comparison, other Southern states have chosen their own iconic fruits. Georgia is the Peach State. Louisiana designated the strawberry. Florida is famous for the orange. Texas chose the ruby red grapefruit. Arkansas's pink tomato stands out because of its dual designation and its deep connection to small-town farming communities in the southern part of the state.
What Makes the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato Special
The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato isn't just any tomato. It's a specific variety that thrives in the warm, humid climate of southern Arkansas. These tomatoes are known for their large size, deep pink to rose-colored skin, and exceptionally sweet, low-acid flavor with a smooth texture that sets them apart from other tomato varieties.
What makes them special starts with the soil. The sandy loam soil in Bradley, Cleveland, and Drew counties provides excellent drainage while retaining just enough moisture to keep the plants happy. Combined with hot summers, plenty of sunshine, and the right amount of rainfall, these conditions create the perfect environment for growing world-class pink tomatoes.
The "vine ripe" part of the name is important too. Arkansas farmers utilize a harvesting technique known as vine ripening. These tomatoes are left on the vine until they're fully ripe, which gives them that incredible sweetness, texture, and flavor that you can't get from tomatoes picked green and ripened during shipping. When you eat a South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato, you're tasting a fruit that reached its full potential on the plant.
Where to Find Vine Ripe Pink Tomatoes in Arkansas
The heart of pink tomato country in Arkansas is the region around Warren, Rison, and Fordyce in the southern part of the state. Bradley County, with Warren as its county seat, is considered the epicenter of pink tomato production. The town of Warren has proudly called itself the "Pink Tomato Capital of the World" for decades, and the site of the famous tomato festival.
During peak season, you'll find vine ripe pink tomatoes at roadside stands, farmers markets, and local grocery stores throughout southern and central Arkansas. The Little Rock farmers market is a great place to find them, as are the markets in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and Fayetteville.
Many small farms in the region sell directly to customers, and some offer pick-your-own experiences during the summer harvest. If you're driving through southern Arkansas between June and September, keep an eye out for hand-painted signs advertising fresh pink tomatoes. Those roadside stands are where you'll find some of the best ones.
When Is Pink Tomato Season in Arkansas?
Pink tomato season in Arkansas typically runs from late June through September, with the peak harvest happening in July and August. The plants are set out in the field in April and May after the last frost, and they need about 70 to 80 days to produce ripe fruit. The timing depends on several factors including weather patterns and soil conditions.
The timing depends on the weather. A warm, dry spring means earlier tomatoes. A cool, wet spring can push the harvest back a couple of weeks. Once the first tomatoes start ripening, the plants keep producing until the first frost in fall, though the heaviest production happens during the hottest months.
You'll know they're perfectly ripe when the skin turns a uniform deep pink with no green shoulders, and the fruit gives just slightly when you press it. That's when the flavor is at its absolute best. Pick them in the morning when they're still cool from the night air, and you'll understand why Arkansas made this tomato the state fruit.
Health Benefits of Vine Ripe Pink Tomatoes
Vine ripe pink tomatoes aren't just delicious. They're packed with nutrients that make them one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. Tomatoes are one of the best natural sources of lycopene, the powerful antioxidant that gives them their pink and red color. Lycopene has been linked to reduced risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and sun damage to the skin.
A medium-sized pink tomato provides a solid dose of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, folate, and Vitamin K. They're low in calories (about 22 calories per medium tomato) and high in water content, making them a great choice for anyone watching their weight. The fiber content supports healthy digestion, and the potassium helps regulate blood pressure.
Studies have shown that vine-ripened tomatoes contain significantly higher levels of lycopene and other beneficial compounds compared to tomatoes picked green. That's one more reason why the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato, left on the vine to reach full maturity, delivers more nutritional punch than your average supermarket tomato.
The Vitamin C in pink tomatoes also supports immune function and helps your body absorb iron from other foods. Traditional cooks in Arkansas have long known that a diet rich in fresh tomatoes keeps you feeling good through the hot summer months.
The History of Tomato Farming in South Arkansas
Tomato farming in southern Arkansas dates back to the early 1900s, when farmers in Bradley and surrounding counties found that the region's soil and climate were ideal for growing pink tomatoes. By the 1920s and 1930s, the industry was booming, and southern Arkansas had become one of the leading tomato-producing regions in the country.
The pink tomato industry transformed small farming communities. Packing sheds sprang up across the region, railroad cars carried millions of pounds of tomatoes to markets across the country, and the local economy revolved around the summer harvest. At its peak, Bradley County alone was shipping thousands of carloads of pink tomatoes each season.
As an important ware, the pink tomato is recognized not only for its agricultural value but also for its role in shaping the economy of southern Arkansas. The industry faced challenges over the decades, including competition from larger operations in Florida and California, changing agricultural economics, and shifts in consumer buying habits. But the tradition of growing pink tomatoes never died in southern Arkansas. Small farmers continued the practice, and the annual Pink Tomato Festival in Warren has kept the tradition alive since 1956.
How Arkansans Use Their Pink Tomatoes
Ask anyone in Arkansas what they do with their pink tomatoes, and you'll hear about tomato sandwiches first. A thick slice of vine ripe pink tomato on white bread with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper is the unofficial state sandwich of southern Arkansas. It's simple, it's perfect, and it's the taste of summer.
Beyond the classic tomato sandwich, Arkansans use their pink tomatoes in everything. Fresh salsa, tomato pie, fried green tomatoes (made from the ones that haven't ripened yet), tomato gravy, BLTs, and tomato salads are all summer staples. Many families can their tomatoes to enjoy throughout the year, putting up jars of tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, and tomato juice.
Pink tomatoes are also popular in Southern-style cooking. They show up in gumbos, stews, casseroles, and alongside okra and cornbread at summer suppers across the state. The sweet, low-acid flavor of the pink variety makes them especially good for eating fresh and in salads where the tomato is the star of the dish.
Fresh fruit and produce also make wonderful gifts. If you want to send a taste of Southern goodness to someone special, our fruit gift baskets feature some of the best seasonal picks available for nationwide delivery.
The Pink Tomato Festival in Warren, Arkansas
Every year since 1956, the town of Warren, Arkansas, has hosted the Pink Tomato Festival, a celebration of the region's most famous crop. The festival typically takes place in June and draws thousands of visitors from across the state and beyond.
The festival features tomato tastings, cooking competitions, a parade, live music, arts and crafts, carnival rides, and a tomato eating contest that's become one of the highlights of the event. Local growers bring their best pink tomatoes to show off, and vendors sell everything from fresh tomatoes to tomato-based products like salsa, jam, and sauce.
The Pink Tomato Festival is more than just a food event. It's a celebration of community, agriculture, and the farming traditions that have shaped southern Arkansas for over a century. For the people of Warren and Bradley County, the festival is a point of pride and a reminder of the important role the pink tomato has played in their history.
Growing Pink Tomatoes in Arkansas
Growing pink tomatoes in Arkansas is a rewarding experience, and the state's climate makes it relatively easy for home gardeners. Here's what you need to know if you want to grow your own South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomatoes.
Start your seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost, which is typically mid-March to early April in southern Arkansas and late April in the northern part of the state. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees.
Pink tomatoes prefer full sun (at least 8 hours a day), well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and consistent watering. Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for good air circulation. Stake or cage your plants to keep the heavy fruit off the ground, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Feed your plants with a balanced tomato fertilizer every two to three weeks during the growing season. Watch for common pests like tomato hornworms and diseases like early blight. With proper care, you'll be harvesting big, beautiful pink tomatoes by late June or early July.
How Arkansas's State Fruit Compares to Other States
Arkansas is one of the few states that designated a tomato as its official state fruit, and it's the only state that gave the same plant the title of both state fruit and state vegetable. Ohio also designated the tomato as its state fruit in 2009, but Arkansas did it more than 20 years earlier.
Most other states chose more traditional fruits for their official designations. Georgia and South Carolina both claim the peach. Florida is known for the orange. California designated the avocado. New York and Washington are famous for their apples. Texas went with the ruby red grapefruit, and Arizona chose the prickly pear cactus fruit.
What sets Arkansas apart is the specificity of its designation. It's not just "the tomato." It's the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato, a very particular variety grown in a very specific region. That level of detail shows how important this crop has been to the identity of southern Arkansas.
For a gift that celebrates the best of American food traditions, consider sending a gourmet food gift basket packed with artisan treats and preserves. Or if you need something quickly, our same-day delivery gift baskets can arrive right when you need them.
Economic Significance of Pink Tomatoes in Arkansas
The pink tomato industry has been a significant part of southern Arkansas's economy for over a century. At its height in the mid-20th century, the region was one of the top tomato-producing areas in the United States, employing thousands of workers during the harvest season and generating millions of dollars in revenue.
While the industry is smaller today than it was during its peak, pink tomatoes remain an important part of the local economy. Small farms, farmers markets, and direct-to-consumer sales keep the tradition alive. The Pink Tomato Festival in Warren brings in tourism dollars and helps promote the region's agricultural heritage.
Several Arkansas-based companies produce tomato products using local pink tomatoes, from salsas and sauces to pickled green tomatoes and tomato preserves. The growing interest in locally sourced, farm-to-table food has given a boost to small tomato growers who sell directly to restaurants and consumers.
Fun Facts About Arkansas's Vine Ripe Pink Tomato
Arkansas is the only state in the country that designated the same plant as both its official state fruit and its official state vegetable. That dual title reflects the ongoing botanical debate about whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables.
The Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival is one of the longest-running food festivals in Arkansas, having been held every year since 1956. It's one of the most beloved community events in the state.
At the peak of the pink tomato industry, Bradley County was shipping over 3,000 railroad carloads of tomatoes per season to markets across the eastern United States.
Pink tomatoes get their color from a combination of pigments. They have the same lycopene as red tomatoes but with a clear skin instead of a yellow skin, which gives them that distinctive pink hue.
The tomato plant is actually a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which also includes potatoes, peppers, and eggplant. When tomatoes were first introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, many people believed they were poisonous.
The best gift baskets often feature Southern-inspired flavors and artisan preserves, making them a perfect way to share a taste of Arkansas with someone special.
Arkansas's South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato is more than just a state symbol. It's a connection to the farming communities that built their lives around this remarkable fruit. Whether you're eating a fresh tomato sandwich on a hot summer day, shopping at a roadside stand in Bradley County, or celebrating at the Pink Tomato Festival in Warren, this fruit has a way of bringing people together. That's the real beauty of the Arkansas state fruit, and it's a tradition worth celebrating.