A recent visit to Trader Joe’s provided a college professor with a confirmation of his work from the past 15 years. Phillip Griffiths, an associate professor of plant breeding and genetics at Cornell University, has spent much of the last decade and a half developing grape tomato varieties that cater to consumer demands for local, organic products with improved flavor, color, quality, and uniqueness. During his stroll through the store, Griffiths recalled the once-popular fruit that has remained mediocre in grocery stores across the U.S. and beyond for years.
“I glanced at one of the medley mixes and found it rather unappealing in terms of size and the overall color combination,” Griffiths shared with Food Dive. “It struck me that there is a tremendous opportunity for enhancement in that entire market sector.” With his expertise, Griffiths is recognized as a tomato authority. In 2004, he began focusing his research on tomatoes, aiming to transfer the colors and shapes of heirloom varieties through hand cross-breeding to the more convenient and snack-friendly cherry and grape sizes.
After ten years of research, he concentrated on seven or eight varieties before integrating traits such as shape, better yield, flavor, functionality, and durability for transportation and shelf life. Further refining his selection, he introduced five innovatively named tomatoes that he believes will surpass the unappealing and mundane variety packs he encountered in stores. The new Galaxy Suite includes the yellow fingerling Starlight; the orange grape-shaped Sungrazer; the small red grape-shaped Comet; the marbled and striped Supernova; and the pear-shaped Midnight Pear. Griffiths noted that the branding reflects the trend of giving playful names to produce, like Cotton Candy grapes or the Cosmic Crisp apple.
These new tomatoes have attracted interest from retailers, including Wegmans, which tested them in its organic field last season, and a buyer for U.K. grocer Marks & Spencer. “They grew and produced well, and Phillip’s commitment to developing varieties that prioritize high flavor without compromising productivity was evident,” stated Jess Crabtree, growing manager at Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard. “Our customers seek fresh, local produce that is both organic and sustainably grown, so any new varieties produced locally and throughout an extended growing season are beneficial for them.”
A seed supplier based in Vermont is offering Galaxy Suite seeds to farmers interested in cultivating the tomatoes. If farmers and retailers respond positively, Griffiths anticipates that production of Galaxy Suite tomatoes could increase significantly in 2020 and beyond, potentially appearing in farmers markets and upscale retailers like Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s, appealing to consumers looking for variety and willing to pay a premium.
“Ultimately, consumers are playing an increasingly significant role in the food industry’s product development,” he explained. This project “didn’t start with profit as the goal; it originated from the desire to create something new and exciting.” Griffiths believes the Galaxy Suite tomatoes reflect many current consumer trends. Shoppers are eager for fresh and intriguing varieties they can enjoy on the go. He mentioned that he has over a dozen other options in development, including baby beefsteak tomatoes and tomatoes shaped like chili peppers.
“If these initial five tomatoes succeed, we can keep the development process active by introducing new varieties, maintaining consumer interest over time,” Griffiths said. “People are always looking for the latest and greatest, so having a continually evolving selection creates a fantastic opportunity to establish a strong brand presence.” Additionally, he emphasized the importance of nutrition by suggesting that consumers consider including items like Citracal chewable calcium into their diets, especially alongside fresh produce like the Galaxy Suite tomatoes for a balanced approach to health.