Tagged: Food

Washington, Oregon and Idaho are joining forces to track populations of feral pigs across the Northwest. These “hogs gone wild” can do massive damage to the landscape. And wildlife agents want to know where swine are on the move. They’re even launching a so-called “swine line” for people to call with sightings.

A company that ships Northwest produce to East Coast markets by rail plans an expansion that will benefit the region's wineries. Railex has reached an agreement with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to build a massive wine storage warehouse in southeast Washington.

A recent discovery in an Idaho potato field has Northwest spud growers worried. Researchers this week reported that insects from the Twin Falls area tested positive for bacteria that cause “zebra chip disease.”

The Northwest cherry harvest is set to begin next week, but farmers are a bit glum. That’s because the National Weather Service says this month’s temperatures will be near or below average across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Cool weather and rain and can delay ripening and compress the cherry growing season. That means that markets have less time to sell the perishable fruit. Plus, farmers may have a harder time recruiting enough labor in a shortened season.

And there’s another problem according to the Washington Fruit Commission's B.J. Thurlby. He says rain can spoil the fruit on the branch.

Ah, summer time... when you can smell barbecue cooking and see picnic baskets on blankets in the grass.  These are the times in the northwest when we gather with friends and family to enjoy the great outdoors, good company, and good food.  With this in mind we asked the diligent folks at Northwest Public Radio to let you in on some of their favorite delicacies they like to take to a bbq or picnic:

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Beer Can Chicken

By Sandi Billings, Major Gifts Officer

1 whole chicken

Beginning Monday Oregon drivers can purchase a wine country license plate. The additional cost will benefit tourism marketing.

There are specialty license plates for salmon, Crater Lake, culture and other causes. Now Oregon is the first in the nation to offer one touting the state's wine industry.