San Antonio, July 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NatureSweet® Tomatoes will bring the Homegrown Tomato Challenge back to Raley’s this summer. The popular event to find the tastiest tomatoes of 2018 will be held at Raley’s located at 2075 Fair Oaks Blvd. on Saturday, August 18th from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Amateur gardeners can enter their homegrown tomatoes. There will be one $1,000 grand prize winner for each category and (2) runner up winners. The second place runner up will receive $500 and the third runner up will receive $250.
All homegrown tomato entries will be Brix tested first (a scientific test used to measure the sugar content in a tomato), and then finalist tomatoes will be taste tested by a panel including Produce Man Michael Marks, Raley’s Produce Merchant Michael Schutt, and a Sacramento Master Gardener.
A simultaneous cherry tomato cooking competition will allow amateur chefs the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills in a secret ingredient cook-off. Three finalists will be pre-selected from an online entry contest (www.homegrownchallenge.info) to compete in the cook-off. The grand prize winner will receive $2,000 while the second runner up will receive $500 and the third place winner will receive $250. All remaining tomatoes will be donated to the Sacramento Food Bank after the event.
“Homegrown Challenge is a great way to celebrate the flavor of Glorys® tomatoes,” said Kevin Foster, Brand Director for NatureSweet® Glorys®, “I’m looking forward to seeing what our entrants bring to the challenge this year.”
HOW TO ENTER:
- To enter the Homegrown Tomato Challenge, bring either 3 large/ medium or 10 small tomatoes in a clear, labeled, zipper-sealed bag to the Raley’s located at 2075 Fair Oaks Blvd. on Saturday, August 18th. Entries will be accepted from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. No pre-registration necessary. One entry per household.
- To enter the Chef’s Challenge, visit www.homegrownchallenge.info and submit why you love cooking with tomatoes. Entries are being accepted until August 1, 2018. Three finalists will be pre-selected and notified before the event on August 18th.
- NatureSweet is the leading grower of the best-tasting premium fresh tomatoes in North America. NatureSweet provides consumers with “Tomatoes Raised Right” which begins with choosing the best seeds. From there, more than 9,000 full-time associates cultivate then handpick the vine-ripened tomatoes in sustainable greenhouses, ensuring premium freshness and sweetness. NatureSweet tomatoes are grown to a specification 365 days a year, meaning customers get the same flavor, color, size and firmness all year-round. If they don’t meet that specification, they don’t get the NatureSweet name. Even in winter, NatureSweet tomatoes are guaranteed to taste great or the consumer doesn’t pay for them. The only tomatoes that guarantee consistent, superior taste year-round, NatureSweet tomatoes are sold at major grocers, mass retailers and club stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Known for award-winning quality and innovative packaging, NatureSweet is also committed to having a positive social, environmental and economic impact on the communities in which it operates. NatureSweet Cherubs®, SunBursts®, Glorys®, Jubilees™, Eclipses™, Constellation™ and Twilights™ are trademarks of NS Brand, LTD.
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