Tomato King: Larry Lipman Discusses his Family Produce Business and Love of Poker

By Sean Chaffin

The Florida agriculture industry employees more than 2 million people and contributes $104 billion annually to the state’s economy. That may seem like a random fact, but for one player in the field on Day 2 at the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open, it’s been a major part of his life.

Larry Lipman (pictured), known by his friends as the Tomato King, spent much of his life leading his family’s third-generation produce company. Lipman Family Farms specializes in tomatoes, which helped this part-time poker player earn his nickname.

Tomato Time

From Fort Myers, FL, the 70-year-old Lipman is now retired from the business but still serves as chairman of the board. The company has farms all over North America and is the biggest fresh tomato grower in the country. Lipman-family tomatoes are shipped to grocery stores around the U.S.

When it comes to tomatoes, Lipman is the guy and is quick to detail some of the company’s offerings.

“We grow round tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, vintage ripes,” he says. “We grow vegetables too, but we’re considered tomato people.”

“The Crimson” is also a company favorite and is vine-ripened and specially bred in Florida. The company’s website describes it with “A deep red color, more intense flavor, and higher lycopene content than standard tomatoes. Boasting a juicy, homegrown flavor, this new variety is sure to be the crown jewel of your favorite recipes.”

Lipman Farms even offers recipes for its tomatoes via its Twitter feed.

The company is a family business that began with Lipman’s grandfather, Max Lipman, who emigrated from Poland in the early part of the 20th century. He began working as a laborer in the New York produce market in the 1930s and planted his first tomatoes simply as a means to support his wife and children.

More than 80 years later, the company now employs more than 5,000 people. Lipman ran the company as CEO from 1990-2010. The business has become a real American success story.

He adds: “It’s still owned by the family 100 percent.”

Poker Life

As Day 2 at the Hard Rock got underway, the Tomato King began with 82,000 in chips. He got into the game a few years ago playing with friends and his accounting degree from the University of Florida helps him a bit at the tables. He plays a lot in the South Florida area and other parts of the country as well.

“I travel a little bit to play in World Poker Tour events, and the WSOP Main Event,” he says. “I still love it. I’m going to be 71 next month, but I still love playing.”

That includes catching some cards here in Hollywood. Beginning the day with about 55 big blinds, he was pleased to be back in the Events Center for more action.

“This is a great tournament,” he says. “I grew up here in Hollywood and if I didn’t have my business, I’d probably live on the East Coast of Florida.”

Lipman has cash three times in WPT events and has almost $54,000 in winnings on the tour. He has three children and eight grandchildren, and when not playing cards he also enjoys bowling with an average of over 190.

“That’s pretty good until you see the really good players,” he says. “I’m competitive and want to win at everything I do.”

As Day 2 continues, the Tomato King is hoping the time is ripe for a deep run.

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