Will TomatoFest celebrate its 22nd year? That is the question that its board of directors may decide as early as next Tuesday. For many who enjoy the post Labor Day event every fall, the news seems to come as a surprise. For those who have listened to the organizers over the years, it is not.

Has the annual event, which donates its excess profits to the area#'s food pantries, run its course? Some will suggest that while food pantries do get money after the event (a smaller portion than the overall cost of the event that is pegged at close to $30,000), it would be better if donors gave directly to the event. That would be fine if those were actual dollars received - some of the funds coming to TomatoFest arrive, via, in-kind donations - services that while they have value, aren't hard currency (not even covering the costs of items from insurance to tent rentals). No matter how they are calculated, they would not make their way into the area#'s food pantries.

It has gotten tougher to put on this event. One organizer said that the organization has only taken in about $10,000 so far, one third of what they need to run the event that would occur in less than 60 days. Part of the problem, which many such events suffer over time, is that sponsors change, as do the amounts of money, usually lower, that replacement sponsors pony up.

What looks to be the biggest ticket item at this point is insurance, reported to be $9,000. While this is a big financial nut, in the litigious world we live in, it should be no surprise. It was only a couple of years ago that organizers asked that vendors show proof of insurance.

One possible way to resolve this issue is to ask if Cayuga County or the city of Auburn (which used to give money to the TomatoFest to help underwrite it) would be willing to take on the insurance liability, individually or jointly with a rider to their coverage.

Why would either government even think of doing this? First may be the sense of community that is created by the annual event. Part of the funds raised in the end come from those who buy vendor tables or pay admission - while one might think that those donations might be best directed to pantries, a TomatoFest leverages numbers that aren#'t generated by individual giving.

Just as importantly, the event does bring in those from outside of the community, especially adjoining counties, who leave their money with local not for profits and vendors.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com