Feb 16, 2018

Indiana farm is Red Gold’s Tomato Grower of the Year

Red Gold recently named Rice Farms Tomatoes as Tomato Grower of the Year, and presented growers Scott and James Rice of Wanatah, Indiana with the E.A. Reichart Quality Achievement Award.

The award was presented during Red Gold’s 27^th Annual Growers Banquet in Indianapolis. The banquet is held in conjunction with the Indiana Raw Products Conference, sponsored by Purdue University.

Rice Farms Tomatoes was chosen from a select group of seven master growers, and those master growers in turn were picked from 48 growers for Red Gold.

Scott and James Rice also received their eighth Red Gold Master Grower award. Winners received specially designed plaques in recognition of their achievement in growing high quality tomatoes, exhibiting industry leadership, and professionalism. All growers for Red Gold have had training on good production practices, employee safety, and human resources. As tomato growers for Red Gold, the Rice’s have excelled in stewardship and sustainable practices on their farm and participates in the Red Gold IPM program.

This year’s production from Rice Farms Tomatoes would account for over 16 million cans of Red Gold whole, diced, stewed, and specialty tomato products. The award was presented to Scott and James Rice by the Reichart family, Beau Reichart, director of operations; Colt Reichart, director of omni-channel and creative marketing; and by A.J. Anderson, senior cost accounting manager.

Four generations of the Reichart family have been producing premium quality tomato products since 1942, when it began producing tomato products for the soldiers overseas.  Since then Red Gold has become the largest privately-owned tomato processor in the nation with three state-of-the-art facilities in Elwood, Geneva, and Orestes, Indiana.

The company also boasts a million square foot distribution center in Orestes and operates a wholly-owned subsidiary RG Transport trucking fleet in Elwood.  The company partners with family farms across Indiana, southern Michigan, and Northwest Ohio to produce canned tomatoes, ketchup, sauces, salsas, and juices for foodservice, private brands, export, co-pack and club channels of distribution. The Red Gold family of consumer brands includes Red Gold, Redpack, Tuttorosso, and Sacramento.

Above: In the front are Scott Rice, left, and James Rice.  In the back are Beau Reichart, director of operations, Colt Reichart, director of omni–channel and creative marketing and A.J. Anderson, senior cost accounting manager.