Photo by Anna Jackson
Lindsay H. Metcalf is the author of the new children's picture book Tomatoes on Trial: The Fruit v. Vegetable Showdown. Her other books include Farmers Unite!. She lives in Kansas.
Q: What inspired you to write Tomatoes on Trial?
A: I had just finished a journalism project on a heavy topic and needed a palate cleanser—a writing project where I could just play.
I noticed a Facebook post commemorating the anniversary of the Supreme Court declaring tomatoes a vegetable. This blew my mind. Why would the SCOTUS bother to rule on such a trivial question?
I could immediately see the layers for a children’s book: food fights, debate, courts, science, humor, and tariffs, which were the basis for the Nix v. Hedden case.
At the time of the story spark in 2021, I had no idea tariffs would be in the news when the book came out. That ended up being a key marketing hook for this book.
Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: I had to rely on primary sources, because little had been written about Nix v. Hedden in books. I started with court records detailing the case. Then I turned to newspaper archives and old trade journals to learn about John Nix and his produce company, scanning not only articles but also advertisements to see how he positioned his brand.
I consulted antique dictionaries on Google Books to get definitions similar to those that “Team Fruit” and “Team Vegetable” used in court. Ancestry.com was a key source for finding ship’s manifests that confirmed Nix had been traveling to Bermuda, the island that sourced his tomatoes.
Then, once I had key names and places, I turned to archival images to help me visualize 1880s New York and Bermuda, where the story took place.
One thing that especially surprised me was the 1883 Tariff Act, on which the Nix v. Hedden case was based. The act placed a 10 percent tariff on most vegetables, but not most fruits.
It specifically named hundreds of items that were and were not taxed, but nowhere did it name tomatoes; hence, the argument about whether tomatoes should be classified as fruits or vegetables. Some of the things the act did name, and did not tax: leeches, bark, lichen, and moss!
Q: What do you think Edwin Fotheringham’s illustrations add to the book?
A: His illustrations bring this amazing energy that simultaneously feels whimsical, fun, and historically accurate. He was the perfect illustrator to bring this story about a 19th century, court-based “food fight” to life.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it an “entertaining, lucid look at the judicial process.” What do you think of that description?
A: Relief. Ha! But really, I appreciate that Kirkus and other trade reviewers understood that this book captures a case that seems silly and unserious but is actually the perfect, kid-friendly introduction to how courts work.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am deep in the throes of research for a middle-grade nonfiction project that has yet to be announced. It brings hidden US history to life through personal, family narratives and poetry from acclaimed authors. I’m obsessed with this project and can’t wait to talk more about it!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I love to connect with readers. Folks can reach me through Instagram @lindsayhmetcalf and subscribe to my newsletter at lindsayhmetcalf.com to stay up to date about upcoming books and events. Thank you for having me, Deborah!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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