12/23/05 Another pear purchase request

The potential of a crop increase in small size and second grade non-Bartlett pears over last year, and the potential for that increase to depress pear prices for growers, led three Northwest members of Congress to ask U.S.D.A. to make a bonus purchase of such pears for federal nutrition programs, such as the school lunch program. WALDEN: We've seen estimates as much as a six per cent increase in the non-Bartlett pear production of Washington and Oregon. And this is a perfect match for our school kids. We're not trying to get them to buy pomegranate or something like that that kids don't eat. These are the best pears on the planet, and they make for perfect sizes for lunches. Representative Greg Walden of Oregon joined fellow Congressional members Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris of Washington in requesting the purchase for commodity programs managed through the Agricultural Marketing Service. The matter is currently under advisement at U.S.D.A. WALDEN: This is really an important step at the Department of Agriculture to take to help our pear growers have a better year. And its good for our school kids as well if the federal government would take advantage of the opportunity to purchase the 200,000 standards boxes of smaller size and second grade pears of all varieties it would certainly improve the return of the pear market as a whole.