P.E.I. family gives tomatoes to people who'll pay it forward

A Kensington farm family is handing out free tomatoes on Tuesday afternoon asking Islanders to pay it forward in return.

"We have lots of big beautiful organic tomatoes that taste like summer and we want to be able to share them in a positive way," said Marc Schurman.

"We just ask that you just share a pay-it-forward story on our Facebook page it doesn't matter how big or how small your story is."

With the successful crop I thought, what better way to share it?- Marc Schurman

The Schurman family, third-generation farmers, are no strangers to Islanders, they sell their greenhouse-grown produce throughout the year at farmers markets, and pride themselves on growing fruits and vegetables at times of the year when they're not always available locally.

Saying thanks and helping others

"We've done lots of different things to help the community over the years. And the community has helped us, you know, through good and bad," said Schurman.

"With the successful crop I thought, what better way to share it?"

Schurman said paying it forward should not be a problem, especially with the outpouring of goodwill toward the people caught up in the wildfires in Alberta.

He said the giveaway also helps instill a lesson in his own three teenagers.

"I just think it really important to my wife Krista and I that agriculture spread more good news stories.  And how better to do it than using tomatoes," he said.

Schurman said he'll go out to his greenhouses on Tuesday morning and gather up a vanload of tomatoes to give away. Once his kids get home from school he'll head to the parking lot of the Charlottetown Farmers Market. He expects to arrive around 4 p.m and stay until his free tomatoes are gone.