This is a major tomato growing operation in Iceland supplying fruits to the shops year round all made possible by harnessing the abundant geothermal power available in Iceland. Tomatoes picked early in the morning are on sale in Reykjavik by lunchtime.
The owners, Knútur and Helena have set themselves high standards in their production, and are reaping the benefits, growing four types of tomato. There is about 5,000m² under glass, of which about 4,200m² are used for cultivation. Knútur proudly shows off his best workers, Buff-tailed Bumblebees Bombus terrestris imported in their own small hives which are placed all around the glasshouses to pollenate the tomatoes. The glass houses themselves were built over a long period, from 1986 to 2011.
In 2009 they were awarded the Agricultural University of Iceland Incentive Award, and in 2010 they were chosen Growers of the Year by the Horticultural Marketing Association. In 2011 they received the Encouragement Reward of Icelandic Farm Holidays when they also started the cultivation of cucumbers.
One of Knútur and Helena's many neighbours and colleagues is chef Jón K.B. Sigfússon, who has developed and designed all their food products, working closely with the couple. These are available to sample in the on-site restaurant.
A typical pack of tomatoes shows a picture of the couple together with the following information:
Við hjónin, Knútur og Helena, byrjuðum að rækta tómata í Friðheimum 1995 og fórum fljótlega að sérhæfa okkur í tómatarækt með áherslu á að auka fjölbreytni í tegundum hérelendis. Við höfum einsett okkur að rækta tómatana með mestu bragðgæðum sem völ er á og í góðri sátt við náttúruna. Tómatarnir eru ræktaðir allan ársins hring með fullkominni tækni á umhverfisvænan hátt þar sem græn orka, tært vökvunarvatn og lífrænar varnir gera tómatana ferska og heilsusamlega.
Verði ykkur að góðu.
Plómutómatar einkennast af góðu, kröftugu bragði. Þeir eru kjötmiklir og henta því vel í salöt, sem álegg og í hverskonar matreiðslu.
Translated as: My wife and I, Knut and Helena, began to grow tomatoes in Friðheimar in 1995 and went quickly to specialize in tomato breeding with emphasis on diversifying species grown in the country. We are committed to cultivating tomatoes with the greatest taste available and in harmony with nature. Tomatoes are grown all year round with advanced technologies in an environmentally sound manner, green energy, pure water and biological pest control giving fresh and healthy tomatoes.
Best wishes, Knut and Helena
Plum tomatoes are characterized by great, powerful flavors. They are great with meat and go well in salads, as toppings and in any cooking.
Their website is at:- Friðheimar . For English select the EN button.