Washington state is the second-largest asparagus producer in the country. But the industry had a near-death experience last year when the last of three major processors picked up shop and moved to Peru. The survivors in Washington are determined to compete in the worldwide market armed with just fresh spears. Correspondent Carol Cizauskas visited a mid-Columbia field of asparagus and files this report.
Nerell: “I’ve told the people, this is a competition. You’re in a world economy, and this needs to be the most efficient shed in the world.”
Allan Nerell is plant manager for Gourmet Trading Company, where about three hundred workers bundle and box fresh asparagus.
Broadcast on Northwest News Network.
Carol Cizauskas 