First Annual Spud Day At The Capitol Today

Senator Hansell Sponsors Potato and Onion Donations to Governor’s Food Drive
Eastern Oregon Growers Donate 33 Tons of Potatoes on Oregon Potato Growers Day at the Capitol

Salem, Ore. Today, Senator Bill Hansell (R-Athena) hosted the first annual Spud Day at the Capitol to commemorate the donation of 66,000 pounds of potatoes and 500 pounds of onions from Farmers Ending Hunger to the Governor’s Food Drive. Senator Hansell was joined by Governor Kate Brown, Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem), and Senator Jackie Winters (R-Salem).

“Today is a day to celebrate the rich heritage of farming and ranching in our state,” said Senator Bill Hansell (R-Athena). “Not only does Oregon agriculture feed Oregon citizens, it is our second largest export around the world.”

In 2013, 35,000 Oregon farms operated on 16.5 million acres, producing crops and livestock exported around the country and the world. That year, potatoes and onions were Oregon’s seventh and eighth top commodities, respectively. Oregon is also the top producing state for onions in the nation, providing 27% of all U.S. onions each year.

“My focus in the legislature is to make sure farmers and ranchers have the support they need to thrive,” said Senator Hansell. “The more access to crucial resources like water our agricultural producers have, the stronger role they can play in Oregon’s economy.”

On the Senate floor Monday, each Senator received a five pound bag of potatoes from Umatilla County farms. Senator Jackie Winters spoke on the history and legacy of the Governor’s Food Drive and the importance it plays in providing food to hungry families across Oregon.

“We started the Oregon Food Share, which later became the Governor’s Food Drive, when I served as Ombudsman for Governor Vic Atiyeh in 1979,” said Senator Jackie Winters. “Governor Atiyeh then asked every state agency and the general public to help with feeding the hungry in Oregon, and I’m proud that we’re still honoring that tradition 36 years later.”

The 2015 Governor’s State Employees Food Drive is dedicated to Governor Vic Atiyeh. Since 1982, the food drive has raised the equivalent of 70 million pounds of food for hungry Oregon families. Farmers Ending Hunger donates potatoes, onions and cattle to the Oregon Food Bank every month.

Some facts about Umatilla County farms and ranches:
Bud Rich Potato is the national supplier of Wendy’s Foil-Wrapped Baked Potatoes.
Riverpoint Farms supplies all red onions for Subway sandwiches.
JSH Farms produces the mint flavoring and spices for Colgate, Wrigley, Proctor & Gamble and McCormick.
Madison Farms will supply canola oil to Whole Foods.
A bag of frozen corn at Safeway in Hermiston was grown and processed within a 20 minute drive.
Hale Farms on Butter Creek grows potatoes that go from harvest to McDonald’s French fries in two hours.
The average American eats 134 pounds of potatoes a year, or over 365 potatoes per person per year.

If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.

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Beaver Walk & Beaver Believers Screening

Beaver Natural History Walk & Restoration Site Tour, 4-5 pm Followed by a screening of The Beaver Believers and Q &A Hosted by Maureen Thompson, Beaver Works Program Manager and Kolleen Miller, Education Director for The Upper

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8th Annual Locavore Gala & Fundraiser

We invite you to be a part of something extraordinary – an evening that transcends the ordinary and celebrates the heart of our community. Central Oregon Locavore proudly presents its 8th Annual Gala and Fundraiser, a special