What's the story behind all the tomato throwing in Blunol, Spain?

Question

Spanish Town Blushes With Annual Tomato Fight

BUNOL, Spain - Spanish revelers have pelted each with 113 tons of ripe tomatoes in an annual food fight. Town hall says an estimated 40,000 people took part in the hour of messy fun in the village of Bunol near Valencia. The ritual dates back to the 1940s.

Some warriors in Wednesday's battle wore swimming goggles to protect themselves from the acid sting of projectiles in the form of pear-shaped tomatoes. Others swatted them away with tennis rackets.

Afterward, many washed off in a nearby river while crews hosed down a town painted red.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080827/ap_on_fe_st/odd_spain_food_fight;_ylt=AiSQjpVhtmX6p4DHP6ZJxrHtiBIF

Answer 1

It may be a waste of food but it is a tradition and good fun.

Not to mention the tomatoes wouldn't be good and wouldn't normally be eaten by people in other countries where they are needed.

to the answerer above me especially, try to understand a countries traditions and ideals before you criticize the little things they do.

Answer 2

What a terrible waste of food. people are starving . why waste the food.