Trandos Hydroponic Growers, WA
Steve Trandos, Tomato Grower
Steve Trandos was born to do what he does. As a child Steve was introduced early to the joys of a life spent in connection with nature. His dad taught him to drive a tractor at age seven and ever since he has been taking on more and more of the running of the farm. These days he is the General Manager of Trandos Hydroponic Growers and a proud spokesperson for their tomato operation.
"Ever since I was a kid I loved making things made from timber in my grandad's shed, so for a few years after school I tried my hand at cabinet making. I also tried personal training and was even competing as a body builder for a while. But farming is in my blood, I always knew I'd end up farming in one way or another." ‐ Steve Trandos
Steve is the youngest of three boys but because he was always a lot bigger than his brothers he was known as the big baby brother. Once his brothers ran him over with the motorbike but Steve was able to take it in his stride. Today he still enjoys racing quad bikes alongside hanging out with friends and training at the gym. The Trandos family in general are an active lot and family is very import to Steve. He even boasts about how one of his uncles who is also in the farming business, is his hero.
"My uncle Nick is my hero and I have always looked up to him. He is a pioneer in the agriculture industry. He has been inducted into the agricultural hall of fame and has served as the president of various agricultural foundations. He was and still is a major role model for my brothers and I." ‐ Steve Trandos
The Trandos family started farming in Wanneroo WA, back in 1939, and is now ushering their fourth generation into the company business. They've been supplying Woolworths with various types of produce for 20 years, but have only been growing greenhouse tomatoes for the past 8 years. With their large operation it doesn't take longer than 24 hours for tomatoes to get from the vine at Trandos to the shelf at Woolies. Steve shared with us a fun fact about tomatoes and their seeds that the Trandos family always chuckle at and share with new employees.
"Tomatoes are the world's most popular fruit, and yet their seeds are enormously expensive! By weight they actually cost more than gold does!" ‐ Steve Trandos
These days, Steve explains that the Tomato growing business is a very scientific process. High tech diffused glasshouses give farmers complete climate control enabling them to produce crops year round. It also lets them use fewer pesticides and no herbicides, while allowing more comprehensive water recycling and greater quality control.
"We at THG enjoy the challenge the future brings. In 1960 it took one hectare to feed two people, in 2025 it will need to feed five. In the next 40 years we have to produce the same amount of food that was produced on earth in the last 10,000. Younger generations should recognise how scientific and hi‐tech farming is these days in order to deliver safer and more consistent produce." ‐ Steve Trandos
Trandos start by growing seedlings and then transplant them onto Rockwool slabs when the plant is close to flowering. They then grow for a period of 6‐7 weeks, at which point the fruit is ready for harvesting. 60‐90% of the water and fertiliser is recycled. The conditions inside the glasshouses are regulated by their very own weather station and the irrigation network is computer controlled. A far cry from when Steve's reminisces about how is grandmother would tell him of how she would water all of her tomato plants with a bucket of water and an empty baked bean can!
The result of all this technology, hard work and passion from Trandos is a fruit Steve is immensely proud of. Trandos tomatoes are naturally good for you, grown locally, in an environmentally sustainable way. Nutritionally, tomatoes are a great inclusion to your diet. They are low in sodium and very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They're a good source of vitamin A, E, C and K as well as multiple minerals and nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus and copper. Tomatoes also contain lycopene which helps protect cells from damage and heart disease, and is a natural antioxidant that neutralises free radicals.
Of course Steve believes you should eat tomatoes for their delicious flavour and not just because they're good for you. In his mind they are the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity and can be enjoyed on their own, roasted or tossed in salads and pastas. Trandos ripens their Truss and Cocktail tomatoes on the vine to maximise the flavour and this makes them incredibly versatile. Throwing a vine load of Cherry Truss tomatoes in with a roast is an exciting complement to your meat. Steve loves to put a whole Truss tomato in a baking tray and lightly drizzle it with oil and a balsamic glaze. Then it's a little cracked pepper and salt and into the oven for 30 minutes at 180c. This makes for a delicious and easy additional to any meal time.
Smaller fruit like the cherry or grape tomatoes are great for eating on the go, but they are also a good solution for encouraging kids to eat well by making food fun to eat. Being on the farm and around fresh fruit and vegetables, Steve is always making sure him and his family are eating whatever's in season, he jokes that this is the best way to get kids to eat fruit and veg, because it's full of flavour.
When it comes to storing, Steve warns not to wait too long. The flavour of their special tomatoes degrades over time when refrigerated, so it's lucky Trandos supplies tomatoes 365 days a year!
Steve himself admits to often working seven days a week, and that's a commitment the company as a whole has to mimic. They constantly have to invest in good reliable equipment and infrastructure in order to meet the demands of Australian consumers and their own high standards. But Steve does admit for a man whose name is on the box it's all worth it!
Trandos supplies hydroponic tomatoes to Woolworths, including Cocktail, Cherry Truss and Truss varieties.