At the farmers market under the viaduct this morning there was a huge sign that said "Heirloom Sale," and other vendors were laughing about it. No, they weren't selling treasures from their attic. These were heirloom tomatoes, and the price was $2.50 a pound. I love a good price war.

Actually Reid's Orchard was selling heirlooms at the Waverly market for $2.49 a pound yesterday. But what's important is that more and more farmers are realizing people are willing to pay enormous amounts of money for a tomato with real tomato flavor and a thin skin. Many more of the stands are selling the old-fashioned varieties this year, even though they are troublesome to grow, prone to disease and pests,  often low-yielding, and produce funny-shaped fruit that isn't perfect looking.

It's just the flavor that's perfect.