12/07/07 Elementary schools win greenhouses and grants from Washington Potato Commission

Farm and Ranch December 7, 2007 Five elementary schools in the greater Puget Sound area have been notified that they have won a greenhouse from the International Greenhouse Company and a $1,000 grant from the Washington State Potato Commission. Karen Bonaudi, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington Potato Commission, says this is part of the Kids are Growing competition. Bonaudi: "This is the third year we have run this competition with International Greenhouse Company and King-5 in Seattle. We go to the Puget Sound area because that is where a lot of people are who don't know about agriculture, who think their food comes from grocery stores and some kids growing up in apartments never have the chance to have an outdoor garden." Potato growers are very pleased with the program. Bonaudi: "Our growers like this program because it gives us the opportunity to get the word out about potatoes. We tell people it is a viable industry here, that it is good for the economy and that potatoes also supply nutrition for the body." Marlys Bedlington of Pure Potato in Lynden, Washington will supply potato seed pieces to the elementary schools. The winners were Glacier Park Elementary School, Maple Valley; Oak Heights Elementary School, Lynnwood; Wildwood Elementary School, Federal Way; Cherry Valley Elementary School, Duvall; and Maple Elementary School, Seattle. That is 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.