Museum of Tomato facts for kids
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The Museum of Tomato (or Museo del pomodoro in Italian) is a super interesting museum in Italy. It's completely dedicated to the amazing tomato! You can find it in a place called Corte di Giarola, near Collecchio in the Province of Parma. This area is famous for growing and processing lots of tomatoes. Guess what? It even shares its home with the Museum of Pasta!
Contents
How the Tomato Museum Started
Have you ever wondered how a museum about tomatoes came to be? Back in 2001, a group called the "Promoting Committee of Food Museums" was formed. Their goal was to create museums about different foods.
From 2003 to 2004, they worked with another group called the "Association of Food Museums of the Province of Parma." This bigger group included local government, food protection groups, and businesses. Everyone wanted to create a network of food museums in the Parma area.
They decided to open a museum in Corte di Giarola. This is a big, old country building from the Middle Ages. It was the perfect spot for a museum all about the tomato. It also shares space with the Museum of Pasta, which is pretty cool!
Opening Day of the Museum
The Tomato Museum is located on the ground floor of the west side of Corte di Giarola. This old building used to be a place where people processed farm products. It was used for this purpose from medieval times until the late 1800s. Later, in the early 1900s, it became a factory for making canned foods.
The museum officially opened its doors on September 25, 2010. On the same day, there was a special meeting called "Tomato in Parma: history, entrepreneurship, and taste." Many important people attended, including experts on history, nutrition, and food journalism.
What You'll See Inside: Exhibition Halls
The Museum of Tomato has seven different sections for you to explore. Each one tells a part of the tomato's story!
Section 1: The Tomato's Journey
When you enter the first section, you'll see a big sculpture of a cut tomato. This area shows you all the different kinds of tomatoes that exist. You'll also learn how the tomato first came to Europe from America. It's a fascinating journey!
Section 2: Tomato Industry in Parma
The second hall uses old pictures and objects to show how the tomato processing industry grew in the Parma region. You'll see how people started turning fresh tomatoes into sauces and other products.
Section 3: Amazing Machines
In the third hall, you can see 14 old machines! These machines show how the technology for processing tomatoes has changed over time. It's like a trip back in time to see how things were made.
Section 4: From Field to Plate
This section explains the whole process of making tomato products. You'll learn how tomatoes are grown, harvested, and then turned into the finished products we buy. It also shows how these products are packaged.
Section 5: Mechanical Innovations
The fifth hall focuses on how machines helped the tomato industry grow. Panels here explain the development of mechanical tools used in processing.
Section 6: Industry Pioneers
In the sixth hall, you'll see pictures and information about the people who started the big tomato factories. You'll also learn about the famous factories themselves. These were the pioneers of the tomato industry!
Section 7: The World of Tomato Culture
Finally, the seventh hall dives into the rich culture of the "Pomodoro World." You'll see panels, postcards, old advertisements, and catalogs. It shows how the tomato has become a big part of our lives and culture.
