June 24, 2010, Leamington, Ont. – REACH International hosted its fourth annual “Who’s the Hottest Tomato” Competition last weekend during the Leamington Fair, and introduced two new competitions: “The Perfect Pepper” and “The Coolest Cucumber.” The biggest greenhouse industry growers, marketers and suppliers participated in the annual competitions which celebrate Essex County as home to the largest greenhouse industry in North America.

The judging was conducted in two stages.

Among those at the awards reception were: (front row, kneeling) Sara DiMambro, Nicholas Baeini and Megan Pickersgill from Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET, and Marra Gualtieri from Mucci International/Mucci Pac; (back row) Cristopher Baeini, Rod Baeini, Ashley Sarros and Nancy Pickersgill from Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET, Nada Gualtieri from Mucci International/Mucci Pac, Jody Flaming from Amco Produce, and Cindy Mueller from Fisherville Greenhouses. Missing from photo were representatives from Westmoreland/Topline, Pure Hothouse Foods and Clifford Produce Sales. PHOTO COURTESY REACH INTERNATIONAL

A panel of expert judges, representing local restaurants, food markets and food processors, government specialists, and a food writer from the Windsor Star, weighed in with their assessment of the 82 entries.

As well, 565 people voted for their favourites in the “People’s Choice” awards.

The net proceeds from this event will be used for REACH’s main project in Uganda.

Winners included:

PERFECT PEPPER

• Best Overall Pepper — Pure Hothouse Foods - specialty sweet pepper, an exclusive Pure Flavour Pepper.

• People’s Choice — Mucci International/Mucci Pac – “Rustico” specialty sweet pepper.

• Best Green Bell Pepper — Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET® .                  

• Best Red Bell Pepper — Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET.

• Best Yellow Bell Pepper — Mucci International/Mucci Pac.

• Best Orange Bell Pepper — Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET.

• Best Specialty Sweet Pepper — Pure Hothouse Foods, an exclusive Pure Flavour Pepper.

• Best Specialty Hot Pepper — Westmoreland/Topline Produce.

COOLEST CUCUMBER

• Best Overall Cucumber — Clifford Produce – mini seedless cucumber.

• People’s Choice — Westmoreland/Topline Produce – English seedless cucumber.

• Best English Seedless Cucumber — Mucci International/Mucci Pac.

• Best Mini Seedless Cucumber — Clifford Produce.

HOTTEST TOMATO COMPETITION

• Best Overall Tomato — Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – “Zima” specialty tomato.

• People’s Choice — Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – “Zima” specialty tomato.

• Best Beefsteak Tomato — Fisherville Greehouses .

• Best Roma Tomato — Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET – “Romana.”

• Best Cluster/T.O.V. Tomato — AMCO Produce .

• Best Cocktail Tomato — Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET – “Campari.”

• Best Bite-Size Tomato — Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – “Splendido.”

• Best Specialty Tomato — Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – “Zima” specialty tomato.

New this year, people were able to purchase produce at the fair’s Greenhouse Farmers Market. The produce was donated by the contestants. In light of the recent tornado that devastated parts of Leamington, REACH donated all market proceeds to assist storm victims. Unsold produce was donated to the Salvation Army Foodbank.

REACH is a small charity run entirely by local volunteers. It has raised several thousands of dollars to build schools and clinics, drill water wells, and sponsor and care for impoverished children in Uganda. The program guarantees that 100 per cent of child-sponsorship dollars goes to help children. “We do separate fundraisers, such as this one, to raise money for operating expenses,” says event organizer, Nicole Barron. “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.