Greenhouses win big while helping children in Uganda

Photo: Fernanda Albuquerque (left) of Mucci-Pac with best overall Pepper and Cucumber trophies and Tyler Clark (right) of Nature Fresh Farms with best overall Tomato trophy.

On June 14-16, 2013 at the Leamington Fair, R.E.A.CH. International hosted its 7th 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), Heinz, grocery store produce managers, chefs and many others judged the 130 entries with a pre-determined list of criteria. Second, throughout Friday and Saturday, the public 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.  The net proceeds from this event will be used for R.E.A.CH.’s main project in Uganda, Africa. 

And the 2013 Winners in the Greenhouse Capital of North America & the Tomato Capital of Canada are: 

Perfect Pepper Competition:

Best Overall Pepper                                  Mucci International / Mucci Pac – Green Pepper – Entry #133

People’s Choice                                        Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®  - Sweet Twister –  Entry # 29

Best Green Bell Pepper                           Mucci International / Mucci Pac – Green Pepper – Entry #133

Best Red Bell Pepper                               Mucci International / Mucci Pac - “Red” – Entry # 99

Best Yellow Bell Pepper                           Nature Fresh Farms – “Crosby”– Entry # 114

Best Orange Bell Pepper                         Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®  – Orange Bell– Entry # 12

Best Specialty Sweet Pepper                  Orangeline Farms – Entry # 46

Best Specialty Hot Pepper                       Westmoreland / Topline Produce – “Topline Chilis” – Entry # 93 

Coolest Cucumber Competition:

Best Overall Cucumber                            Mucci International / Mucci Pac –Entry # 65

People’s Choice                                        Orangeline Farms- Mini Cucumber – Entry # 21

Best English Seedless Cucumber         Jem D Farms –Entry # 74

Best Mini Seedless Cucumber               Mucci International / Mucci Pac –Entry # 65 

Hottest Tomato Competition:

Best Overall Tomato                                 Nature Fresh Farms – “Beefsteak”  - Entry # 6

People’s Choice                                        Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® - “Mini-Kumato” – Entry # 112

Best Beefsteak Tomato                            Nature Fresh Farms – “Beefsteak”  - Entry # 6

Best Roma Tomato                                   Nature Fresh Farms – “Red Egg” - Entry # 33

Best Cluster / T.O.V. Tomato                   Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® - “Loomato” – Entry # 90

Best Cocktail Tomato                               Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET® - “Kumato” – Entry # 37

Best Bite-Size Tomato                              Jem D Farms - “Bitesize Grape”– Entry # 100

Best Specialty Tomato                             Nature Fresh Farms - “Sweetest” – Entry # 84 

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.  

The proceeds from last year’s competition raised enough money to sponsor 50 children in Uganda, Africa.  The sponsorships give the children food, school supplies, medicine and everything else they need to get an education and break the cycle of poverty.  

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.