Potato Commission helps Governor Gregoire deliver on basketball wager

Farm and Ranch April 3, 2009 It's the NCAA Final Four this weekend at Detroit's Ford Field. The basketball team Washington Governor Chris Gregoire bet on, Spokane's Gonzaga Bulldogs, won't be there, but the governor can rest assured her losing bet obligation is being fulfilled. Karen Bonaudi, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission explains. Bonaudi: "Apparently she had a bet with the governor of North Carolina, Beth Perdue about the outcome of the Gonzaga Bulldog's game and North Carolina Tarheels' game. Of course the Tarheels are ranked number one so it was a little bit of a risky bet. Nonetheless the governor put up Washington potatoes against North Carolina sweet potatoes. Consequently we are sending 100 pounds of the finest Washington red potatoes to a food bank in North Carolina." Governor Gregoire said that during these hard economic times, it is an honor to work together to help feed those in need. She added that while we wish we could have watched Gonzaga head to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament, we now wish UNC all the best. The 100 pounds of Skagit Valley reds headed for a North Carolina food bank were donated by grower Darrin Morrison of Morrison Farms in Mount Vernon, Washington. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.