Bushel Boy Tomatoes Disappear from Minnesota Grocery Shelves

The once-ubiquitous local brand has vanished from stores across the state.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:08pm

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A close-up, high-contrast photograph of a single, pristine Bushel Boy tomato resting on a clean, white background, conceptually representing the loss of this regional brand.The disappearance of the once-ubiquitous Bushel Boy tomato brand from Minnesota grocery shelves reflects the broader challenges facing regional food producers.Owatonna Today

For decades, Bushel Boy tomatoes were a fixture in produce aisles at grocery stores across Minnesota. The brand, which grew its tomatoes in greenhouses in Owatonna and Iowa, was a staple at major chains like Hy-Vee and Lunds & Byerlys. But in recent years, Bushel Boy has quietly disappeared from shelves, leaving many shoppers wondering what happened to the once-popular local brand.

Why it matters

The decline of Bushel Boy represents a broader shift in the grocery industry, as national and global brands have increasingly crowded out regional and local producers. The loss of a homegrown brand like Bushel Boy is seen by many as a blow to Minnesota's food identity and the state's agricultural heritage.

The details

Bushel Boy was founded in the 1970s and grew to become one of the largest tomato producers in the Midwest, supplying millions of pounds of tomatoes to grocery stores across Minnesota and the surrounding region. The company operated greenhouses in Owatonna and Iowa, allowing it to grow tomatoes year-round and meet the demand of its retail partners. However, in recent years, Bushel Boy has struggled to compete with larger, national tomato brands that can offer lower prices and year-round availability.

  • Bushel Boy was founded in the 1970s.
  • The brand grew to become a staple in Minnesota grocery stores over the following decades.

The players

Bushel Boy

A regional tomato producer that operated greenhouses in Owatonna, Minnesota and Iowa, supplying tomatoes to grocery stores across the state for decades.

Hy-Vee

A major grocery store chain with locations throughout the Midwest, including Minnesota, that carried Bushel Boy tomatoes.

Lunds & Byerlys

A regional grocery store chain based in Minnesota that carried Bushel Boy tomatoes in its produce sections.

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What they’re saying

“It's really sad to see Bushel Boy disappear. They were a Minnesota institution and their tomatoes were always so fresh and flavorful.”

— Sarah Johnson, Longtime Bushel Boy customer

The takeaway

The decline of Bushel Boy tomatoes is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing regional food producers as they struggle to compete with large national brands. The loss of this homegrown brand is a blow to Minnesota's food identity and agricultural heritage.