Kingsville, ON (June 10, 2024) – The celebration of flavor continues for Mastronardi Produce, a pioneer in commercial greenhouse growing in North America. On the heels of receiving 8 top honors from international award programs earlier this month, the fourth-generation family-owned business was also heavily decorated with 20 awards at the 17th Annual Leamington Greenhouse Competitions held in Leamington, Ontario this past Friday June 7, 2024.
Competing in the Leamington Greenhouse Competitions and the Superior Taste Awards in Belgium, the company announced the addition of 28 awards to its ever-growing collection for SUNSET® and BerryWorld® brand products, including the top three Overall Best in Competition awards for Best Tomato, Best Pepper, and Best Cucumber, ten first-place awards, and more awards overall than any other brand. SUNSET® not only won Best Overall Tomato, but it’s Specialty Tomato, Valentino® was the top-scoring product overall out of 184 competition entries.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to be a part of this event that recognizes excellence in greenhouse grown produce. We take great pride in continually striving towards innovations in the industry, so for our team to be recognized for their dedication to quality and flavor is a testament to their hard work.” said Paul Mastronardi, President & CEO of Mastronardi Produce. “The Leamington Greenhouse Competition is one that we look forward to each year as it’s a great opportunity for our industry to unite in support of a great cause such as R.E.A.C.H International. As gratifying as it is to win awards on the world stage, it is very significant and rewarding to win so close to home.”
Showcasing some of the best greenhouse grown produce from leading North American growers, Mastronardi Produce took home 20 awards this year, 10 of which were first place making this a company record since the competition began in 2007. Notably, the company won over a third of the Chef’s Choice Awards. Again, in Specialty Berries, Mastronardi took home first place for SUNSET WOW® Berries moonberry™ blackberry. WOW Berry dreamberry™ strawberry was both an award winner as well as a Chef’s Choice Winner.
Earlier this month, Mastronardi Produce also competed in the renowned International Taste Institute’s Superior Taste Awards in Brussels, Belgium, earning eight Superior Taste Awards: Campari® Cocktail Tomatoes, Angel Sweet® Grape Tomatoes, Bahama Bombs® Grape Tomatoes On-the-Vine, Aloha® Tomatoes, Summer Dream™ Raspberries, WOW® dreamberry™ Strawberries, WOW® moonberry™ Blackberries, and Berryworld® XL Blueberries™.
These prestigious Superior Taste Awards are judged by more than 250 professional taste experts from over 20 countries, including top tier chefs and sommeliers, who perform rigorous evaluations in appearance, olfaction, taste, and texture.
Leamington, Ontario is home to the largest concentration of greenhouses in North America and Mastronardi Produce’s company headquarters. Mastronardi Produce has won over 200 awards at the Leamington Greenhouse Competitions since 2007 and was the first fresh produce company to earn a Superior Taste Award in 2010. The timing of this season’s awards aligns perfectly with June being National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, adding an extra layer of sweetness to the victories for the greenhouse produce innovator.
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About Mastronardi Produce Ltd.®
A pioneer and industry leader in the gourmet greenhouse industry, Mastronardi Produce grows and markets award-winning products under the SUNSET®, Backyard Farms®, WOW® Berries, BerryWorld®, and Queen of Greens® brands. Mastronardi Produce has been family-owned for over 70 years and prides itself on producing consistently flavorful tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, berries, and lettuce.
Company Contact:
Dean Taylor, Vice President, Business Development
o: 519-326-3218
c: 519-796-7703
dean.taylor@sunsetgrown.com
About Leamington Greenhouse Competitions
The Leamington Greenhouse Competitions first held a competition in 2007, originally called the Hottest Tomato Competition. Funds raised by registration fees from participants are donated to R.E.A.C.H International, a registered charity supporting children’s health and education projects in Uganda. The annual competitions sponsor 70 children per year and has raised over $250,000 since 2007.
About International Taste Institute
Founded in 2005, the International Taste Institute has held blind taste evaluations with the renowned Superior Taste Award certification. Based in Brussels, the organization works with more than 200 of the world’s best chefs and sommeliers. In the same way that Le Guide Michelin contributes to the overall elevation of restaurant gastronomy around the world, the International Taste Institute strives to support and encourage consumer food and drink producers to develop and sell tastier products.
