Leamington, ON – On June 15-17, 2012 at the Leamington Fair, R.E.A.CH. International hosted its 6th annual Greenhouse competitions including “The Hottest Tomato” , “The Perfect Pepper” and “The Coolest Cucumber” Competitions. Greenhouse Industry growers, marketers and suppliers participated in the annual competitions which celebrate Essex County as being the largest greenhouse industry in North America.
These unique competitions happen in two stages. First, on Friday evening, expert judges from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), No Frills Group of Companies, Ted Whipp, food writer for the Windsor Star, local grocery stores and MPP Rick Nichols judged the 111 entries with a pre-determined list of criteria. Second, throughout Friday and Saturday, 468 people voted for their favourite Tomato, Pepper and Cucumber for the “People’s Choice” awards.
The Awards Ceremony, held on Saturday evening, awarded beautiful crystal trophies and bragging rights to all the best producers in North America. New this year, the Grower with the overall best Pepper, Cucumber and Tomato will also receive a greenhouse disinfection discount from Tech Mist Spray Solutions. The net proceeds from this event will be used for R.E.A.CH.’s main project in Uganda, Africa.
And the 2012 Winners in the Greenhouse Capital of North America & the Tomato Capital of Canada are:
Perfect Pepper Competition:
Best Overall Pepper Nature Fresh Farms- “Fascinato” Red Bell Pepper – Entry # 35
People’s Choice Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® – Sweet Bell “Chocolate” Pepper – Entry # 16
Best Green Bell Pepper Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® – Entry # 21
Best Red Bell Pepper Nature Fresh Farms- “Fascinato” – Entry # 35
Best Yellow Bell Pepper Howard Huy Greenhouses – “Crosby”– Entry # 98
Best Orange Bell Pepper Nature Fresh Farms – Orange Bell #7054 – Entry # 45
Best Specialty Sweet Pepper Pure Hothouse Foods – “Aurora” – Entry # 3
Best Specialty Hot Pepper Nature Fresh Farms – Hot Yellow Pencil – Entry # 95
Coolest Cucumber Competition:
Best Overall Cucumber Mucci International / Mucci Pac – Long English Cucumber – Entry # 93
People’s Choice Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® – English Cucumber – Entry # 37
Best English Seedless Cucumber Mucci International / Mucci Pac –Entry # 93
Best Mini Seedless Cucumber Mucci International / Mucci Pac –Entry # 82
Hottest Tomato Competition:
Best Overall Tomato Jem D Farms – “Cherry on the Vine” Bite Sized Tomato – Entry # 12
People’s Choice Mucci International / Mucci Pac – “Sun Drops” Bite Sized Tomato – Entry # 17
Best Beefsteak Tomato Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® – “Slicer” Beef – Entry # 46
Best Roma Tomato Westmoreland / Topline Produce – Entry # 14
Best Cluster / T.O.V. Tomato Nature Fresh Farms – Entry # 7
Best Cocktail Tomato Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® – “Campari” – Entry # 75
Best Bite-Size Tomato Jem D Farms – “Cherry on the Vine”– Entry # 12
Best Specialty Tomato Nature Fresh Farms – “Passion”– Entry # 34
Once again, people were able to purchase the produce at a Greenhouse Farmers Market. All the produce was donated by the generous contestants with proceeds going to the Leamington Salvation Army Foodbank.
R.E.A.CH. is a small charity run entirely by local volunteers. This small but mighty group has raised several thousands of dollars to build schools & clinics, drill water wells, and sponsor and care for impoverished children in Uganda, Africa. Their unique program guarantees that 100% of child-sponsorship dollars goes to help the children. “We do separate fundraisers, such as this one, to raise money for operating expenses. Since we’re all volunteers, our expenses are very low. Whatever we raise beyond those expenses also goes to our projects.
Results and more pictures for the event can be found at www.hottesttomato.com or for more information about REACH International, visit www.reachint.org.
Source: R.E.A.CH. International