Kingsville, ON (May 5th) – With its cult-like following of foodies continuing to widen by the week throughout North America, Mastronardi Produce has yet again received another prestigious accolade for its SUNSET® Kumato™ BROWN tomato. After being named Best Specialty Variety and The People’s Choice award last year, the International Taste & Quality Institute-ITQI (Brussels, BE) announced recently that it has accorded its 2010 Superior Taste Award to Mastronardi for its SUNSET® Kumato BROWN tomato, the first time for fresh produce.
“The Kumato™ is about as unique as a tomato can get, full of flavor, juicy, and an aroma like no other” stated Paul Mastronardi, President. “With the ITQI awarding our SUNSET® Kumato™ with its Superior Taste Award, it further exemplifies that a tomato is more than just a piece of fruit, it’s an experience,” concluded Mastronardi. The SUNSET® Kumato™ has seen tremendous success since being launched in 2009 in North America by Mastronardi not only at the retail level, but also with foodservice. With demand far exceeding production, Mastronardi more than doubled its planted acreage for the Kumato™ for 2010 season.
Throughout the spring, Mastronardi has been ramping up its Kumato™ demo sessions at a variety of retailers across the nation and have seen a phenomenal lift in sales. “Customers are in awe of the authentic taste of the Kumato™, with a sprinkle of sea salt, they are the perfect hors d’oeuvres for any get-together. The positive consumer comments we have been getting back from the demos and daily emails we receive has been outstanding, “said Chris Veillon, Director of Marketing.
With the influence of social networking on the Internet at an all time high with the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and online blogs, consumers are eager to share their personal experiences. From what’s in fashion to the next “must have item”, the power of the Internet can even influence consumer trends when it comes to unique & authentic produce items.
Sara Schwartz of MSN.com wrote “Brown tomatoes — who would think they'd be more juicy and flavorful than their vibrant red counterparts? Foodies are salivating over Kumato™ tomatoes. These golf-ball-size tomatoes have a high water content and are meaty and sweet with a flavor similar to the just-picked backyard variety. Maybe it's time to let brown produce into your life?”
Some of the tomatoes grown and marketed by Mastronardi under its nationally recognized SUNSET® brand include the Campari® cocktail Tomato, Splendido™ grape Tomato, gourmet MEDLEY™ tomatoes, mini Kumato™ grape tomato, and Minzano™ Snack Tomato, to highlight a few.
Source: Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET
