Tainted-tomato source still unknown

The FDA is still hunting for the source of salmonella-tainted tomatoes that have sickened at least 277 people across the country since mid-April.

The food-safety agency is advising shoppers to avoid raw red Roma, red round and red plum tomatoes and products that contain them (like fresh salsa) unless they hail from a list of cleared regions that includes among others Canada, California and Washington (see the entire list at www.fda.gov).

Throughout the recent problem, the FDAhas recommended cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes on the vine as substitutes.

Whether you buy produce from a supermarket, farmers market or roadside stand, ask sellers where it's from and how it was raised, says Catherine Donnelly, professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Vermont. Many past outbreaks have occurred at large farms where produce is grown on an industrial scale.

Pertinent questions include what fertilizers were used, whether the fields flooded (a common way animal waste from neighboring farms can pollute crops) and how produce was processed en route to reaching you, she said.

Wine and tunes in Woodinville

Woodinville Wine Country, a nonprofit group that advocates wine tourism, is launching a Wine Notes concert July 26-27 at King County's Marymoor Park.

The lineup includes local wine and food plus funk, soul, swing and jazz with performances from Tower of Power, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Mindi Abair, Peter White, Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas and Blue 4 Trio.

Tickets (on sale at www.winenotesconcerts.com) range from $75 for one day general admission to $235 for a two-day VIP pass and include five tastes from nearly two dozen Woodinville wineries. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.woodinvillewinecountry.com or call 425-205-4394 for more information.

Farmers market anniversaries

Two Seattle farmers markets celebrate milestone anniversaries this summer. The Columbia City Farmers Market (4801 Rainier Ave. S. at South Edmunds, Seattle) celebrates its 10th year in business 3-7 p.m. June 25 with free birthday cake, free gifts, live music and games for kids.

The University District Farmers Market (Corner of N.E. 50th St. and University Way N.E., Seattle) marks its 15th year in business 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 12 with berry shortcake, free gifts, games and surprises. Visit www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org for more information.

Gardening tips for city folk

Seattle Tilth, a local sustainable gardening advocacy group, is holding a series of free classes this summer to teach organic container gardening and composting to apartment and condo dwellers. Several will be held 5-7 p.m. at Victor Steinbrueck Park in downtown Seattle at the north end of Pike Place Market (2001 Western Ave.).

Learn veggie container gardening June 25, apartment composting July 2, culinary herb gardening July 9 and organic pest and disease control July 17.

Visit www.seattletilth.org or call 206-633-5045 to register and find information on these and additional classes.

Other morsels

Woodinville's The Herbfarm (14590 N.E. 145th St., 425-485-5300) has won its sixth consecutive AAA Five Diamond Award, a top rating reserved for the restaurants the auto club considers the best in North America ...

The Queen Anne location of Pagliacci Pizza rolls back the clock to 1980s prices 11 a.m.-midnight Friday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Queen Anne pizzeria (550 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-726-1717). Catch a slice of pepperoni for $1.25 and soda for 75 cents, plus free cake as long as it lasts ...

Help local networking and volunteerism group BEAN support Water 1st International, a nonprofit that helps developing nations get clean drinking water, at a fundraising buffet of Indian cuisine 5:30-10:30 p.m. June 28 in Redmond. Visit www.beanonline.org for details ...

Tickets are now on sale for the 21st-annual Auction of Washington Wines Aug. 14-16 at Woodinville's Chateau Ste. Michelle, with proceeds benefiting Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center. Visit www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org or call 206-326-5747 for more information ...

The Dish D'Lish flagship location (5136 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle, 206-789-8121) has hired Cameo McRoberts, former sous chef at Chicago's Frontera Grill, as its new chef ...

Seattle-based Allrecipes .com is responding to rising food prices with a new budget cooking section at allrecipes.com/HowTo/Cooking-on-a-Budget/Detail.aspx

Karen Gaudette, Seattle Times staff reporter