Awards given for hot tomatoes, cool cucumbers and perfect peppers

The 6^th annual “Hottest Tomato,” “Perfect Pepper” and “Coolest Cucumber” competitions were held in Leamington, Ontario, this past weekend.

R.E.A.C.H. International hosts the event at the Leamington Fair, with proceeds from the event going to support schools, clinics, water well drilling and caring for impoverished children in Uganda.

Experts from industry and media judged the 111 entries, followed by a people’s choice portion that had nearly 500 people cast votes.

The winners are:

Perfect Pepper Competition:

Best Overall Pepper – Nature Fresh Farms– “Fascinato” Red Bell Pepper

People’s Choice – Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – Sweet Bell “Chocolate” Pepper

Best Green Bell Pepper – Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET

Best Red Bell Pepper – Nature Fresh Farms – “Fascinato” – Entry # 35

Best Yellow Bell Pepper – Howard Huy Greenhouses – “Crosby”

Best Orange Bell Pepper – Nature Fresh Farms – Orange Bell #7054

Best Specialty Sweet Pepper – Pure Hothouse Foods – “Aurora”

Best Specialty Hot Pepper – Nature Fresh Farms – Hot Yellow Pencil

Hottest Tomato Competition:

Best Overall Tomato – Jem D Farms – “Cherry on the Vine” Bite Sized Tomato

People’s Choice – Mucci International / Mucci Pac – “Sun Drops” Bite Sized Tomato

Best Beefsteak Tomato – Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – “Slicer” Beef

Best Roma Tomato – Westmoreland / Topline Produce

Best Cluster / T.O.V. Tomato – Nature Fresh Farms

Best Cocktail Tomato – Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – “Campari”

Best Bite-Size Tomato – Jem D Farms – “Cherry on the Vine”

Best Specialty Tomato – Nature Fresh Farms – “Passion”

Coolest Cucumber Competition:

Best Overall Cucumber – Mucci International / Mucci Pac – Long English Cucumber

People’s Choice – Mastronardi Produce /SUNSET – English Cucumber

Best English Seedless Cucumber – Mucci International / Mucci Pac

Best Mini Seedless Cucumber – Mucci International / Mucci Pac