Since 2007, R.E.A.CH. International has hosted an annual competition which celebrates Essex County for being the largest greenhouse industry in North America. In the beginning this effective charity started with “The Hottest Tomato” competition, and in 2010 added “The Perfect Pepper” and “The Coolest Cucumber” Competitions, and then “The Sweetest Strawberry” in 2018. The competitions give Greenhouse Industry growers and marketers a way to differentiate themselves in a very competitive international industry while giving their suppliers a venue to support and advertise to potential customers.

These unique competitions are judged by unbiased, expert judges from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), grocery store produce managers, chefs and many others. Designed by Shalin Khosla, Greenhouse Specialist from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), each competition has a set of criteria which our official judges use to rate the produce.