SALEM, Ore. (AP) — President Barack Obama’s comment that the nation needs to “eat our peas” in a push to get Congress to vote to raise the debt ceiling has led to a self-effacing pushback from Northwest pea growers.
The Capital Press reports the vegetable’s backers are using the comment to bring attention to their crop, which has a shrinking consumer share.
Total pea consumption has fallen from 4.7 pounds per capita to less than 3 pounds per capita today.
Oregon and Washington growers produce about 25 percent of the nation’s processed peas.
Oregon Washington Pea Growers Association manager Mike Shelby says the president’s comment, even in a negative context, is good for the industry.
