Haar’s Nursery is helping the fight against heart disease by donating twenty cents from every ‘Big Heart Tomato’ plant sold to the Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Appeal. Dubbed ‘Big Heart Tomato’, the ox-heart tomato pot-plants are available in Bunnings stores throughout Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and ACT until early November and bear fruit that resembles a heart-shape.
Diana Heggie, Heart Foundation Victoria CEO, said she was thrilled about the fruitful partnership given Australians will be able take care of their heart health while helping to fund vital heart research.
“By buying a Big Heart Tomato plant, you will be improving your own heart health and helping the Heart Foundation save lives by funding the best heart researchers in Australia,” Ms Heggie said “Getting outside to grow your own fruit and vegetables is a fun way to add a little physical activity into your day and ensure you’ve got fresh, healthy food on your doorstep. Tomatoes, like all fruit and veggies are packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and help to protect us from chronic diseases such as heart disease.” Ms Heggie also said that the Big Heart Appeal is the Heart Foundation’s largest community-led fundraising campaign aiming to raise $5 million nationally to fund Australia’s best heart researchers.
Brendan Haar, Haar’s Nursery General Manager, said he was excited that Bunnings’ customers will enjoy this first season of the Big Heart Tomato and is looking forward to many more high yielding seasons ahead. “Customers should plant prior to Melbourne Cup for optimal yields and can expect plants to bear fruit approximately eight weeks after planting,” Mr. Haar said.
