Tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, and salsa aren’t just flavorful additions to school meals—they’re also nutritional powerhouses that help fuel growing bodies and minds! Packed with vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, these nutrient-rich ingredients support everything from immune health to brain function while adding vibrant color and flavor to kids’ favorite dishes.
Tomatoes & USDA School Meal Standards
Did you know that tomato products help meet the USDA’s school meal guidelines? By contributing to the red/orange vegetable requirement, they make it easier than ever to serve balanced, nutritious meals that kids actually enjoy. And because they’re shelf-stable and budget-friendly, they’re a win for school foodservice teams too!
Easy (and Delicious!) Ways to Serve Tomato Products
Looking for creative ways to incorporate more tomato goodness into school meals? Try these kid-approved ideas:
✅ Marinara magic – Serve with whole-grain pasta, pizza, or even as a dipping sauce for breadsticks ✅ Taco time – Spoon fresh salsa onto tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos for a zesty twist ✅ Soup’s on! – Stir canned tomatoes into soups, stews, or chili for a nutrient boost ✅ Dip it! – Offer salsa as a dip for whole-grain crackers, veggie sticks, or baked tortilla chips
✨ Celebrate International School Meals Day on March 13th by adding a nutritious veggie boost to school lunches with tomato products!
A Simple, Nutritious Choice
Tomato products check all the boxes—they’re nutritious, affordable, versatile, and loved by kids! Whether served in classic spaghetti, zesty taco bowls, or a comforting tomato soup, they bring bold flavor and important nutrients to school menus.
For more insights and research on the power of tomato products, visit TomatoWellness.com!
When you choose tomato products labeled “Made in the USA,” you’re not just supporting American farmers—you’re prioritizing transparency, ethical labor practices, and sustainability in your food choices. Recent investigations have revealed the growing practice of deceptive labeling in the global tomato industry, making buying local more important than ever.
What’s Really in Your Imported Tomatoes?
A recent bombshell report from the BBC revealed that Italy, long associated with premium tomato products, has been importing and repackaging Chinese tomato paste—some sourced from regions linked to forced labor. These products are then marketed as “Made in Italy,” misleading consumers and putting unfair pressure on authentic Italian farmers. While these questionable products may not yet be entering U.S. markets, this discovery raises serious concerns about the integrity of the products labeled as premium imports.
Take “San Marzano” tomatoes, for example, often celebrated by online influencers for their magical quality. The official growing region for this sought-after variety in southern Italy spans just 740 acres, a tiny fraction of the land needed to meet the global demand. This huge disparity calls into question how many of the “San Marzanos” on supermarket shelves are truly authentic. Experts estimate that up to 95% of these tomatoes aren’t the genuine article, making them the “Fake Rolex” of canned tomatoes.
American Tomatoes: The Hidden Champions
Blind taste test after blind taste test, including another this year by The New York Times, have revealed perhaps an unexpected truth: American-grown tomatoes outperform even the prized San Marzanos. American tomatoes are fresher, more affordable, and often surpass their imported counterparts in flavor and quality. This is fantastic news for those who want top-notch taste while supporting local agriculture and saving money.
We understand if you’ve grown up with memories of your Nonna’s Sunday sauce made with a specific brand of imported tomatoes. Taste is personal, and nostalgia plays a big role in food choices. But it’s important to recognize that the notion that imported tomatoes are superior has been debunked time and again. We encourage people to try it out for themselves and discover their favorite, and not just believe things blindly because someone told you to on Instagram.
Beyond the flavor and quality, by choosing U.S.-grown tomatoes, you’re supporting family farmers who work hard to meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability—without the cloud of deceptive sourcing practices.
Why Buy Local?
Supporting U.S. farmers means knowing exactly where your food comes from. Domestic tomatoes are grown and processed under strict regulations, ensuring quality and authenticity. By buying local, you’re also reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping products across oceans—sometimes 6,000 miles from Italy, or even farther if the ingredients come from China first.
American-grown tomatoes also support a more sustainable food system. Local farmers take pride in their work, ensuring a direct connection between their fields and your table. When you choose products grown close to home, you’re investing in community, sustainability, and fair practices.
Look for Transparency in Labeling
When shopping, check for “Made in the USA” labels or certifications that guarantee authenticity. With imported goods marks like “D.O.P.” (Protected Designation of Origin) are not foolproof. Choosing local products ensures your food hasn’t taken an unnecessary trip across the world, and it supports hardworking farmers and the whole food chain right here in your community.
Look for that Good Ol’ US of A sticker and assure yourself of quailty, transparency and that you’re making the best choice for your family and the planet.
Get the scoop on Tomato Wellness member, Del Monte. We are proud to have this company as part of the Tomato Wellness Family!
Del Monte was established in 1886, and continues to grow their reputation with a singular dedication to quality, as they always strive to cultivate the best tomatoes to help you live a life full of vitality and enjoyment. Their produce is also picked at the peak of ripeness, so when canned, you know you’re getting a delicious flavor along with vitamins, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients.
We love that 95% of Del Monte’s produce is grown on farms in the USA, all of which travel less than 100 miles from farm to manufacturing gate. And because Del Monte partners with growers on a variety of programs to yield healthy, productive crops, they are able to protect the planet while promoting responsible growing and food production practices. Learn more about how they want to grow a healthier tomorrow.
We applaud the values of Del Monte as an authentically quality and sustainably minded processor and appreciate their contributions to our industry. Coupled with a focus on long-term relationships with customers and growers, it’s easy to see why we are so honored to profile this Tomato Wellness member.
Get the scoop on Tomato Wellness member, Silgan Containers. We are proud to have this company as part of the Tomato Wellness Family!
As the largest provider of metal food packaging in the United States, Silgan Containers is trusted by America’s most respected brands. Their reputation is based on a foundation of quality, excellence and unsurpassed technical expertise, enabling them to be a dedicated solutions-based partner to their customers.
Silgan’s steel food containers are 100% recyclable, and are used primarily by processors and packagers for many food items including tomato based products. And we love that Silgan also is committed to providing knowledge about the sustainability, health benefits and unmatched convenience of metal packaging. They do this through their learning center, which is packed full of videos, interactive tools, and more to help you better understand the benefits of this type of packaging.
In addition to their quality products and desire to help further knowledge, Silgan has a deep-rooted passion about giving back to communities, assisting charitable organizations, and participating in a variety of civic and social events. We applaud Silgan’s employees for being a proactive member of their local communities!
We are proud to have Silgan as part of the Tomato Wellness family. Coupled with a focus on quality and technical expertise, it’s easy to see why we are so honored to profile this Tomato Wellness member.
Look out for Silgan’s canned tomato products, and give them a try in these delicious recipes:
John Arena is a third-generation pizza chef with over 48 years of experience. He is the owner and co-founder of Metro Pizza and the newly opened Truly Pizza in Dana Point, CA. He is one of the most well-respected and cherished leaders of the Global Pizza Industry. His knowledge and pizza wisdom are legendary. He always has a kind word, and generous with his time and sharing lessons to the next generation. We asked him what he thinks about our favorite pizza trend: #SauceOnTop!
“Probably one of the most noteworthy trends influencing the American pizza scene in the last few years has been the increased use of sauce being placed on top of cheese when the pizza is assembled. For some this has been seen as a radical or even sacrilegious movement. But let’s really think about it. A number of regional styles have always used this method including Chicago Deep Dish, Detroit Red Top, New Jersey Tomato Pie, NY Grandma style and the so called “upside down” Sicilian pizza of Brooklyn. In my pizzeria we have 3 different pizza styles that place tomato on top of cheese and I feel there are very valid reasons for doing so. In our restaurants, everything revolves around engaging the five senses in a positive way.
Sight- The contrast of bright red tomato set on a base of milky white mozzarella is visually dramatic and eye catching
Aroma- The fragrance of a balanced and well-crafted tomato sauce is much more pronounced when the tomato is placed on top. The guests can notice it as soon as the pizza is set on the table.
Feel (texture) Americans love crispy pizza. By placing the cheese down first the butterfat in the cheese becomes a barrier protecting the dough from any moisture coming off of your sauce. In addition the sauce protects the cheese from being exposed to excessive heat in the oven. The result is a crispy crust and creamy cheese- the best of both worlds. As an extra bonus you will get a pizza that travels much better when placed in a box.
Sound -Because the sauce on top method reduces absorption of moisture into the crumb structure of the dough you will get a satisfying “crunch” sound when cutting or biting into the pizza.
Taste- Of course it all comes down to flavor. Most pizzerias purchase cheese, But every high quality pizzeria makes their own tomato sauce. By placing the tomato on top you are putting your key signature ingredient front and center to maximum effect and thereby setting yourself apart from the competition.
I’m here to drop some truth bombs on why spending more money on imported tomatoes from Europe doesn’t make a lick of sense when we’ve got the best damn tomatoes right here in America.
First things first, let’s talk about quality. Now, I’m not saying Europe can’t produce some decent tomatoes, but let’s be real, folks – the heart and soul of tomato growing is right here in the good ol’ US of A. It always has been. Tomatoes are native to the Americas! Blind taste tests continue to prove that on any given day, a USA canned tomato can and usually does beat out any imports. We totally understand that most people will pick the brand their grandma used, but it’s just foolish to believe blindy that everything imported is somehow superior. Try it for yourself!
In America, we’re all about that hustle and grind, and guess what? Supporting local farmers is part of that ethos. When you buy American tomatoes, you’re not just getting the best taste; you’re also supporting our own economy, our own farmers, and our own communities. That’s how we build a stronger foundation for our future – by putting our money where it matters most.
Let’s talk about the carbon footprint, too. Shipping tomatoes all the way from Europe? Come on, that’s like paying for a first-class ticket for unnecessary pollution. We’re all about sustainability and reducing our impact on this beautiful planet. So why not cut down on those food miles and get your tomatoes from right here in America? It’s a win-win for your taste buds and the environment.
So, to wrap it all up – we’ve got the best tomatoes, we’re supporting our own economy, we’re reducing our carbon footprint, and we’re saving time. It’s a no-brainer, my friends. Let’s keep it real and make the smart choice – go for those American tomatoes and watch your taste buds, your wallet, and the planet will thank you later. 💪🍅
Alec Wasson – Chief Tomato Evangelist & Director Tomato Products Wellness Council
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