Mastronardi's new Sunset Kumato, a specialty brown tomato variety, has proved a hit in North America since being introduced to the US and Canadian markets in April, with consumer and retailer demand prompting growers to increase acreage of the variety for next season.
Indeed, the variety will be one of Mastronardi's key attractions at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit, which takes place in Anaheim, California on 2-5 October.
'We are amazed at the attention the Kumato has been receiving since we shipped the first case back in April this year,' said group executive vice-president Paul Mastronardi, who said that the group currently grows the produce at the home farm in Kingsville, Ontario before shifting production further south during winter.
'We closely monitor the chatter on the internet in the various chat rooms, blog, websites etc and it is amazing to see how fast the Kumato fury has spread with a cult-like following, consumers are captivated by the uniqueness of the variety,' said Chris Veillon, director of marketing at Mastronardi. 'We actually have people sending us emails from all over the nation asking when the Kumato will be available in their area.'
The product's success has already been recognised with the People's Choice Award and Best Specialty Tomato Award at the Greenhouse Capital of North America Awards in August.
Meanwhile, Mastronardi has recently launched its new website, www.sunsetproduce.com, to aid an aggressive consumer education programme to explain the benefits of Sunset brand produce.
