KINGSVILLE, ON - Imagining the headquarters for Mastronardi Produce®, I picture some shifting needed around dedicated award space in the near future. On the heels of eight top honors the greenhouse grower received from international award programs earlier this month, the team reported it has also been showered with 20 more awards at the 17th Annual Leamington Greenhouse Competitions.
“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 and Chief Executive Officer. “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.”
Among the latest accolades, the company celebrated receiving the top three Overall Best in Competition awards for Best Tomato, Best Pepper, and Best Cucumber. Additionally, it took home ten first-place awards. While SUNSET® won Best Overall Tomato, specialty tomato Valentino, was the top-scoring product overall out of 184 competition entries. The titles made for a company record since the competition began in 2007.
In another specialty category, this time for berries, Mastronardi’s team took home first place for SUNSET WOW® Berries moonberry™ blackberry. WOW Berry dreamberry™ strawberry was an award winner as well as a Chef’s Choice Winner. Together, the wins meant over a third of the Chef’s Choice Awards overall.
Held in Leamington, Ontario, this past June 7, 2024, the Leamington Greenhouse Competitions showcases some of the best greenhouse grown produce from leading North American growers, according to a press release.
It is a promising and worthy celebration for the company’s ever-growing collection of SUNSET® and BerryWorld® brand products. 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
- Berryworld® XL Blueberries™
Mastronardi Produce confirmed it has now 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.
With the timing pairing well with June’s being National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, the team concluded this made for an extra layer of sweetness to these accolades.
Congratulations to Mastronardi Produce on such a successful kick-off to this fresh-focused month!
