On May 23, R.E.A.CH. International held its 18th annual greenhouse competition awards ceremony.
The winners received the coveted Greenhouse Competition trophies and bragging rights as the best producers in North America, according to a news release.
Running since 2007 to celebrate Essex County in Ontario and its greenhouse industry in North America, proceeds from the competition sponsor over 45 children in Uganda, Africa, annually. These sponsorships give the children and teens food, school supplies, medicine and everything else they need to get an education and break the cycle of poverty, the release said.
“We love that we can celebrate the greenhouse industry in Essex County with this annual event that helps in so many ways,” said Art Barron, president of R.E.A.CH. International. “Locally, the Kingsville Community Centre receives funds from selling donated produce to help support their amazing programs, and the Gleaners pick up any leftover produce. For the villages we serve in Uganda, these competitions have helped us to raise over $275,000, which is used to provide for children’s education, build infrastructure and enhance health and wellness.”
This year’s farm sponsor was Sunset/Mastronardi Produce Ltd. “Our team is excited to be part of this event recognizing excellence in greenhouse-grown produce,” said Paul Mastronardi, president and CEO of Mastronardi Produce. “The Leamington Greenhouse Competition presents a remarkable opportunity for our industry to unite in support of a great local cause in R.E.A.C.H International. It’s always a thrill to bring home awards for our flavorful Sunset produce, and I am thankful to our entire team for their dedication to consistent quality and flavor.”
On May 21, all entries were delivered to Kingsville Community Centre, where they were numbered and sorted by volunteers and then evaluated by expert judges from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, grocery store produce managers, horticulture experts and local chefs. They judged entries with a specialized list of criteria developed by the head judge, Shalin Khosla, the release said.
Here’s a look at two of this year’s winners.
Pure Flavor
Pure Flavor has once again proven why it’s a standout in the greenhouse produce world, the grower said in a news release.
The Leamington-based grower says it dazzled at this year’s Leamington Greenhouse Competition, taking home multiple top honors in a field of over 190 entries from leading North American producers.
The company claimed an impressive list of accolades:
- Best Mini Cucumber – seedless mini cucumbers
- Best Bell Pepper – red bell pepper
- Best Specialty Berry – Sweet Blooms blackberries
- Chef’s Choice – Sweetgreen grape tomato
- Chef’s Choice – Sweet Blooms strawberries
- People’s Choice: Best Overall Pepper – orange bell pepper
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognized by our community and peers,” said Jamie Moracci, CEO of Pure Flavor. “At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to quality, sustainability and our community. Receiving these awards keeps us inspired to continue to grow the very best for the people we serve.”
As Pure Flavor continues to expand its footprint across North America, these wins serve as powerful motivation to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in greenhouse-grown produce, the grower said.
Sunset
Mastronardi Produce took home an impressive 23 awards for its Sunset brand, the grower announced in a news release.
Fresh, high-quality, greenhouse-grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and berries from the flagship Sunset brand were entered to compete with other leading North American growers from the Windsor-Essex County area.
Sunset’s flavors proved to stand out as the company received the competition’s top designations for “Hottest Tomato” and “Best Berry,” along with seven first-place awards, the release said. Notably, four Sunset products won the Chef’s Choice Award, including the Sunset Shazaam! Shishito peppers, Wild Wonders orange sweet long peppers, Aloha bell pepper and Y.E.L.O. cocktail tomato.
Mastronardi Produce said it takes great pride in innovation within the industry and is pleased to be recognized for its dedication to exceptional flavor and quality.
“We are honored to receive these recognitions from the Leamington Greenhouse Competition,” said Paul Mastronardi, president and CEO of Mastronardi Produce. “Our passion for flavor, freshness and quality is at the heart of everything we do, and receiving these awards is a true testament to the hard work of our team. This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate greenhouse-grown produce, while supporting the mission of R.E.A.C.H. International.”
Other winners include Topline Farms, Nature Fresh Farms, Mucci Farms, Red Sun Farms and Del Fresco Pure. View the complete list here.