'Tomatomania' draws serious tomato fans to Encino farm stand

ENCINO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- "Tomatomania" has descended upon the Tapia Brothers farm stand in Encino, and its massive offering of seedlings is drawing in some serious tomato lovers.

Perhaps this isn't the kind of sale you would think would draw long lines, but it certainly has people coming back year after year. It's "Tomatomania" time, and Scott Daigre is running the show.

"These are your serious, hardcore tomato fans, right?" Daigre said.

The annual three-day event showcases well over 200 tomato varieties, including the pink plum, purple pear, garden peach and blue chocolate.

Jan Thompson of Mid-Wilshire says there's nothing she won't try, but that's bitten her before.

"What I try to do is start at the end, because when I start at the As, I don't even get to the Bs and my trunk is full, that's a problem," she said.

It wasn't hard to find those who came prepared. Marty Katz and his wife from Malibu brought two clipboards worth of notes.

"So I can refer to the pictures and the growing period, so I take it seriously," he said.

For more information about the event, visit www.tomatomania.com.