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.