Mastronardi, D'Arrigo Bros. and Naturipe

Jun. 30, 2011

Some like it hot, and for this tomato grower, it meant taking top honors! At the 2011 Hottest Tomato Competition, Sunset/ Mastronardi Produce won five out of eight tomato awards, including People’s Choice and best overall. The top winner was the company’s “Zima” variety, though the company also received recognition for its Delano tomatoes for the “on the vine” category. The competition is hosted annually for the Ontario Greenhouse Industry in order to benefit needy children in other countries as well as local food banks. President Paul Mastronardi stated, “Our company was built on flavor and quality and awards such as this further validates what we stand for.” Congratulations to Mastronardi produce for keeping their tomatoes so hot!

This grower’s next contest is a monster… monster truck, that is. D'Arrigo Bros. Company has teamed up with The Bounty Hunter Monster Truck of 2Xtreme Racing to create a design contest that combines monster truck racing and Andy Boy brand fresh vegetables. The two companies are collaborating in their “Race for the Cure” campaign against breast cancer, which focuses on raising awareness about living a healthy lifestyle and raising money for research. The contest will involve participants drawing up a mock design for the monster truck, The Bounty Hunter. The grand prize will be getting to see the winning design used on the real truck itself during a competition. The only rule is that every design must incorporate some element of pink or ribbon in order to promote breast cancer awareness.

The Lifetime Channel has been looking for something fresh and sweet, summer-ripe blueberries are as fresh as it gets. The network’s popular morning show, “The Balancing Act” will feature Naturipe Farms in their “MyCuisine” segment, which will air July 12th at 7 A.M. EST. The company will be promoting its new product, “Berry Quick Snacks,” individual-sized servings of pre-washed blueberries that come in packs of three. Robert Verloop, Naturipe’s Executive Vice President of Marketing, stated, “busy families are looking for naturally delicious products that are a healthy and convenient replacement to salty and sugary snacks. The versatility of berries makes them an easy addition to any plate.” The TV segment will highlight the health benefits of blueberries as well as the convenience of the snack packs.