Tomato harvest starts across Victoria as processors look to restock after COVID panic-buying SatSaturday 6 Three thousand tonnes of organic tomatoes are being processed for canned goods. ( Share Print text only Cancel In northern Victoria and southern New South Wales, canning-tomato growers are starting to harvest what has been a bumper crop. Key points: Canning tomatoes are varieties that are made into tomato paste, sauces and tinned tomatoes SPC is ramping up production this year, after COVID-19 lockdowns saw more people dabble in home cooking Harvesting is beginning on Australia's only crop of organic canned tomatoes Canning tomatoes are specific varieties, bred to become tomato paste, passata, sauces, and tinned tomatoes.