The Asparagus Growers Are Onboard, I See

I enjoy a good bunch of asparagus, that ancient treat much beloved by the Greeks as early as 200 BC.  Drizzle some olive oil on the asparagus and toss it on the grill, what a treat.  When asparagus is out of season, though, it can get kind of pricey, up to $4.99 per pound I’ve seen it.  Now, though, I’m wondering if the priciness of asparagus is simply a seasonal flucuation due to supply and demand.  Why?  Because Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R) has signed up the asparagus growers to enjoy the government’s largesse, which of course means taking money out of our pockets to give to the asparagus farmers.  This year, Hoekstra has pushed for the government to purchase 6.9 million pounds of the succulent stalks, because those darn Peruvians are “flooding the market.” Of course, Hoekstra would have us believe there are other positive reasons for the government to be screwing up a free market.

"It provides much-needed support to growers while providing a nutritious product to recipients of federal food programs."

The nutritious value factor.  How could I miss that benefit?

Who will the government sign up next?  Radish farmers, cabbage farmers, collard green farmers, brussel sprout farmers?

Posted by on 03/18 at 06:10 AM

  1. If the government had to do anything with our money to benefit the asparagus farmers, why couldn’t it have been a program to teach them how to be more competitive or grow other crops?

    Posted by triticale  on  03/20  at  09:31 PM

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