Levin, Stabenow Urge Agriculture Secretary to Include Asparagus in School Lunch, USDA Nutrition Programs

WASHINGTON – Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today urged Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to consider including asparagus in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition programs, including the school lunch program.

"Including asparagus in the Department of Agriculture's nutrition programs would both benefit the participants of the program, who would enjoy a healthy addition to their meal, and asparagus producers, who have suffered great losses recently," Levin said. "A bonus purchase of asparagus by the USDA would help these farmers get back on track for a healthier 2001 season."

"As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have been urging the Department of Agriculture to purchase surplus asparagus for the school lunch and other nutritional programs," Stabenow said. "If we do not address the flooded asparagus market today, Michigan growers could face economic devastation later this season."

During the 2000 season, a surge in imports and an unusually large harvest caused a significant surplus of asparagus in the marketplace. As a result, one-third of the domestic crop could not be harvested, and the continuing surplus threatens to suppress prices for the 2001 season.

Under the Bonus Purchase Program, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to make a bonus purchase of a product for use in USDA nutrition programs. Levin and Stabenow urged Secretary Veneman to use this authority by making a 10 million pound bonus purchase.

Michigan is the nation's third largest asparagus producer.