Agri-Pulse is kicking off its second “Great Tomato Challenge” today in Sacramento.

The competition is open to members of the California Senate and Assemblymembers and their staff members, who are picking up their tomato plants for the challenge today. The winner will be announced prior to the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit in Sacramento on June 10.

Agri-Pulse will make a $1,000 donation to the winner’s choice of a California Food Bank, as well as a $500 donation to a California food bank in honor of the 2nd place winner.

“Thanks to Senator Melissa Hurtado’s leadership and our generous sponsors, we are offering a fun competition that educates participants about the challenges of growing delicious tomatoes in the Golden State while also helping those most in need of fresh, local food,” said Agri-Pulse Founder Sara Wyant.

The Great Tomato Challenge is made possible by a collaboration between Agri-Pulse and several sponsors who are involved with growing and processing fresh fruits and vegetables, including Vegetables by Bayer, Bonnie Plants, California Women for Agriculture, DiMare Fresh, and Morning Star.

The idea for the challenge came out of Wyant’s desire to inspire people to raise a tomato plant while learning something new about food production and helping those most in need of fresh, local food. In the early 1900’s, Sacramento was the heart of the state’s canning industry and nicknamed “The Big Tomato.” Tomatoes are grown in 20 California counties and growers produce an average of 50,800 tons, creating a big economic impact across the state.

“We can’t wait to see how the Vegetables by Bayer Seminis® brand Early Girl variety performs with the California State Assembly and Senate and staff,” noted Jenny Maloney, Global-Americas Strategic Accounts Manager at Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds.

Last year, California Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer was the winner of the first Great Tomato Challenge with a tomato plant his staff affectionately named Stanley.