13 May 2011

Pukekohe tomato grower wins title

12:47 pm on 13 May 2011

A Pukekohe tomato grower is the country's young vegetable grower of the year.

Ben Smith, 29, narrowly won the competition final on Thursday night in Christchurch from David Winter of North Canterbury.

He grows five hectares of tomatoes in glasshouses for Status Produce, which is owned by Turners & Growers.

Mr Smith will go on to compete against the best young fruit grower for the young grower of the year title in July.