Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #579 Palmetto's 13th Annual Tomato Festival
Requester:	Pat Whitesel		Organization:		City of Palmetto
Project Title:	Palmetto's 13th Annual Tomato Festival		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 10:46:13 AM
District Member:	James Hargrett		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	Manatee
Recipient:	City of Palmetto		Contact:		Charlene Riggins
	516 8th Avenue West		Contact Phone:		(941) 723-4570 122
	Palmetto 34221
Project Description:
The Palmetto Tomato Festival is an annual two-day celebration held the weekend before Thanksgiving where everyone has a plump, juicy time. The Festival is in its 13th year, which has become a rite of autumn for the City of Palmetto as we celebrate the tomato. The tomato has figured prominently in the city's history and economy for generations. The Palmetto area is responsible for the harvesting and processing of much of Florida's tomato crop. Florida produces more fresh-market tomatoes than any other state. Last year Florida yielded 64 million 35-pound boxes of tomatoes. Thousands (approximately 10,000 people in 1999) of people flock to the event to pay homage to the backbone of Manatee Count agriculture - the tomato. A parade kicks off the annual Palmetto Tomato Festival. It is feted with a parade, carnival and a Tomato Cook-Off which requires tomatoes be used as the main ingredient (this event was sponsored by the Palmetto-based Taylor and Fulton Packing Company last year). Other activities for this two-day event include children's games, pony rides, an antique car show, demonstrators in Palmetto's Historic Village. There are booths from various charities and business'. We have a number of food vendors, we have a large vegetable stand with all kinds of produce for sale. Our agricultural farmers have begun to recognize the importance this event has played on their business through last year's advertisements and desire this event to grow even further. With the State of Florida's support this year, the City of Palmetto will be guaranteed that this event will thrive, grow and support our State of Florida local tomato growers.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
The Palmetto Tomato Festival supports the local tomato growers, but more importantly, the agricultural importance of the State of Florida is recognized.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Economic development and to keep our agriculture competitive.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$30,000
Total cost of the project:		$35,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						Yes
				In-Kind Amount:		$5,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?						Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1998-1999		Amount:		$30,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$30,000
	Purpose for future year funding:				Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?					Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						No
Is there a documented need for this project?						No
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						Yes
	Hearing Body:	City of Palmetto City Council
	Meeting Date:	02/03/2000