HOMEGROWN TOMATO CHALLENGE RETURNS TO SACRAMENTO

San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 15, 2017 -- NatureSweet® Tomatoes will bring the Homegrown Tomato Challenge back to Raley’s this summer. The popular event to find the tastiest tomatoes of 2017 will be held at Raley’s newest location in Rancho Cordova at 4030 Sunrise Blvd on Saturday, August 26^th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Amateur tomato gardeners can enter their homegrown crops for the chance to be one of three grand prize winners that will each receive $2,000 for the best tomato in the small, medium and large categories. In addition, six runners-up will receive a $200 Raley’s gift card.

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 of local celebrity judges, including Former Sacramento King Bobby Jackson, Produce Man Michael Marks, Raley’s Produce Merchant Michael Schutt, and the Sacramento Master Gardeners.

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 and two runners up will win a $200 Raley’s gift card. All remaining tomatoes will be donated to a local food bank after the event.

“We’re really looking forward to reviving the Homegrown Tomato Challenge in Sacramento this year,” said Kathryn Ault, Vice President of Sales for NatureSweet.  “Past participation was amazing and the cherry tomato is a perfect addition to any fresh meal because of its robust flavor when heated, so we’re excited to see what this year’s culinary contestants bring to the table!”

HOW TO ENTER:

• To enter the Homegrown Tomato Challenge, bring either 3 large, 5 medium or 10 small tomatoes in a clear, labeled, zipper-sealed bag to the Raley’s located at 4030 Sunrise Blvd in Rancho Cordova on Saturday, August 26th. Entries will be accepted from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. No pre-registration necessary.  One entry per household.
• To enter the Chef’s Challenge, visit www.homegrownchallenge.info and submit 200 words about why you love cooking with tomatoes. Entries are being accepted until August 12, 2017. Three finalists will be pre-selected and notified before the event on August 26th.  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. 

Cherry Tomato Pasta Toss

Prep time:  25 minutes

Ingredients:

6 ounces dry pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1packageNatureSweetCherry Tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta in boiling water per package directions. Drain.

While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-low heat.

Add garlic and stir until golden, about 2 minutes.

Add tomatoes, increase heat to medium-high and simmer until tomatoes are softened and juicy, about 8 minutes.

Stir in pasta and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with parmesan cheese.

Courtesy NatureSweet® Tomatoes

About NatureSweet®

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. 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™, and Constellation™ are trademarks of NS Brand, LTD.

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Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d5b52b6-e036-443a-9031-a2a8c249495d

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f24acfe0-fcd6-48f9-b462-8f78e6425836

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a678380b-74d3-450b-b245-4b065c289ca3

Tracy Reeder
NS Brands, LTD
210-396-3966
[email protected]