On June 19-20, 2015 at the Leamington Fair, R.E.A.CH. International hosted its 9th annual Greenhouse Competitions including “The Hottest Tomato,” “The Perfect Pepper,” and “The Coolest Cucumber” competitions. Greenhouse industry growers and marketers entered a record number of entries (165) into the competitions which celebrate Essex County for being the largest greenhouse industry in North America.
These unique competitions, presented in part for a second year by Red Sun Farms, happen in two stages. First, on Friday evening, expert judges from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), grocery store produce managers, chefs and many others judge the 165 entries with a specialized 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 “Kids’ Choice” awards had our eager younger audience vote for their favourite tomato, pepper and cucumber as well.
The Awards Ceremony, held on Saturday evening, awarded trophies and bragging rights to all the best producers in North America.
Special thanks to Red Sun Farms for their Farm level sponsorship of the event. The net proceeds from this event will be used for R.E.A.CH.’s main project in Uganda, Africa.
And the 2015 Winners in the Greenhouse Capital of North America are:
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Coolest Cucumber Competition
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Entry #
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Grower
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Product Name
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English Cucumbers
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17
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Double Diamond
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English Cucumber
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Mini Cucumbers
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126
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Pure Hothouse Foods Inc.
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Mini Cukes
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Kids' Choice Cucumber
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113
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Pure Hothouse Foods Inc.
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Cocktail Mini Cukes
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People's Choice Cucumber
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72
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Cocktail Cucumber
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Overall Best Cucumber
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126
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Pure Hothouse Foods Inc.
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Mini Cukes
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Hottest Tomato Competition
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Entry #
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Grower
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Product Name
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Beefsteak
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161
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Tomato of Yore
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Cluster / T.O.V.
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2
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Del Fresco Produce
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Delights
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Roma
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30
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Mucci International / Mucci Pac
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Tango Pink
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Cocktail
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127
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Campari
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Specialty
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84
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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New Zima
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Bite Size
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12
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Del Fresco Produce
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Orangina
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Kids' Choice Tomato
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52
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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One Sweet Tomato
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People's Choice Tomato
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52
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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One Sweet Tomato
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Overall Best Tomato
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84
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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New Zima
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Perfect Pepper Competition
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Entry #
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Grower
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Product Name
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Red Bell
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138
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Mucci International / Mucci Pac
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Red Pepper
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Yellow Bell
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7
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Nature Fresh Farms
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Yellow Pepper
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Orange Bell
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89
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Red Sun Farms
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Orange Pepper
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Specialty Mini
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65
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Orangeline Farms
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Zing! Red Bell Midi
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Specialty Bell
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28
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Brown Pepper
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Specialty Long
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27
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Sweet Twister
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Specialty Hot
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24
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Westmoreland / Topline Produce
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Gourmet Hot Pepper
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Kids' Choice Pepper
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27
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Sweet Twister
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People's Choice Pepper
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27
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Sweet Twister
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Overall Best Pepper
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28
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Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET®
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Brown Pepper
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The proceeds from last year’s competition raised enough money to sponsor over 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.