Charlotte Romo, who works at the farm, set up a Hamakua Springs Country Farms booth at the St. Joseph’s Country Fair last weekend, with bright, tomato-red balloons, and watched the tomatoes and lettuce practically fly off the table.

She said people would stop in their tracks and rush up to her and ask if these were the same Hamakua Springs as in the stores. “I guess even with the big sign and my Hamakua Springs shirt I still don’t look like a Ha or a Pa,” she joked, referring to the rhyming surnames at the family farm.

When she said yes, and especially when they saw the tomatoes were priced at about half the price they go for at the stores, people scooped them up. It was a good opportunity to let people know, too, where our tomatoes are available: at Foodland, KTA, Safeway, Costco, from wholesalers, or they can call the farm (981-0805).

“I am always impressed by how loyal our customers are,” said Charlotte. “Many people, usually women, tell me that because of the good flavor they will only buy our tomatoes.”

She said a lot of people told her they buy the lettuce and are impressed with how long it stays crisp in the refrigerator (that’s because of how it’s harvested and packed).

By 11:30, she told me, people had wiped her out of tomatoes, lettuce and balloons. “It was a good day visiting with friends and making people happy with good produce, and also raising money for a good cause,” said Charlotte, whose two girls go to St. Joseph’s School. “I want to give big thanks to Richard and family for donating all that wonderful produce for the fair.”

And once the produce was gone, she got to go check out the old-style, small-town country fair. “I had never been to the St. Joseph’s fair,” said the newcomer to Hawai‘i, “but when I mentioned it people’s eyes would glaze over and they would get a smile on their face and say, ‘Malassadas….’”

“I was happy to go early so I could try those famous treats. They were onolicious! Warm, sugary, deep-fried cake. And I wonder why I can’t lose weight.”

It’s a pretty neat fair, with train and pony rides for the young ones, a rock climbing wall and jumping castles, arts and crafts for sale as well as pickles, preserves, lau lau, sushi and baked goods. There was a plant sale, and carnival games, music and good food and more. What a fun, small-town community event to be a part of. — posted by Leslie Lang