At Rudy’s Happy Patch Market, mid-summer sunlight has threatened to ripen tomatoes and produce too quickly. Now a solution has been found and put in place.

Perry Wellness Center founder and CEO explains: “It has been a hot summer. We have now covered the acrylic roof in our greenhouse adjacent to the market. We must protect our tomatoes and other vegetables that are susceptible to too much heat.”

To solve the problem, shade cloth has been put in place to shelter vulnerable fruits and vegetables – particularly quickly ripening tomatoes. Since the covering has been put in place, the discard rate for overly ripened foot has decreased.

In the photo above, tables full of tomatoes from area farmers enjoy a little summer shade.