08/08/05 New contractor for fresh asparagus

Washington Ag August 8, 2005 Many Washington asparagus growers, who previously packed with Seneca have contracted with Los Angeles based Gourmet Trading Company to grow fresh asparagus for the 2006 season. Seneca recently closed its Dayton canning facility, the last one in Washington. Allan Nerell, vice president of packing operations for Gourmet Trading says per capita consumption of fresh asparagus is increasing and the availability of Washington's crop fills an important time frame for a company that markets year round. Nerell believes the former growers for Seneca will do better with Gourmet Trading. Nerell: "For the grower I believe the pounds returned per acre is going to be greater under the program we put together. So there are more pounds for him to reduce his unit costs of harvest and cultural practices." And Nerell says Gourmet will be here for the long haul. Nerell: "We are putting in a new facility. Intend to be a good neighbor for the long run in Washington. This is not a two-week or one season investment. It is a huge investment on the long term and we definitely want good relations with the growers. That is the start of everything." Tomorrow more on the packing facility Gourmet Trading is putting in Pasco. I'm Bob Hoff.