The History of Tomatoes By olivia41393 550 Plans to Cultivate Tomatoes for First Time in Peru (Approx.) Jan 28, 1554 First Written Record of Tomatoes Dec 6, 1700 Tomatoes Used Commonly for Edible Purposes in Italy (Approx.) Apr 17, 1781 President Thomas Jefferson grew Tomatoes (Approx.) Apr 29, 1812 Tomatoes used for edible purposes in New Orleans, Louisiana (Approx.)