05/28/07 Asparagus Purchase & Remembering Heroes

Asparagus Purchase & Celebrating Heroes plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. USDA announced on Friday its plan to purchase up to 3 million pounds of asparagus products to be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. Washington Congressman Doc Hastings was instrumental in requesting that the USDA make the purchase. HASTINGS: That will help our asparagus industry as they as they continue to feel competitive pressure from asparagus imported from. Government food experts work to ensure that all the food they purchase is healthful and nutritious. Food items are normally required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. Today is Memorial Day. Growing up, most of us knew it as Decoration Day when our Cub Scout and Sunday school groups would canvas the local cemetery decorating the graves of former military veterans with a small U.S. flag. It is a time to remember and honor those men and women who have given their lives for their country and was originated to honor fallen Civil War soldiers. Although originally started in Waterloo, New York, one of the first cities to officially celebrate Memorial or Decoration Day was Charleston, South Carolina and that really brings this day home to my family since our only son, Ian, who is serving his country in the United States Navy is currently stationed in Charleston. I've had a lot of heroes over the years, but he is my biggest hero. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. I have said it before and I will say it again, 2007 will become known as the year of the steak. New steak houses are popping up everywhere while consumers have countless options of branded beef to put on their platter. Since true trend is often defined by the power of marketing behind it, upscale steak is a shoe-in given that the virtues of Certified Angus Beef are being "trumped up" by one of the worlds most famous promoters, "The Donald." Seems Mr. Trump is now in the business of selling Trump Steaks for back yard fare. In partnership with the Shaper Image Corporation and timed perfectly for our nations top steak grilling day, Fathers Day, Trump Steaks are now available from the Shaper Image catalog or online . The same steaks Mr. Trump serves up at his restaurants, this USDA prime beef, while a cut above will set you back a bit. His Classic Collection retails for $199.00, while the Connoisseur Collection nets you 16 steaks for $999. That's about 63 dollars a steak, for that amount Donald better come fire up the grill. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.