June 2002 - Media Release

A Preview of Spring

Asparagus announces the arrival of Spring like no other vegetable! It is not only the most delectable of vegetables, it is fat free, low in kilojoules, rich in folate and vitamins A, C and E. Asparagus is also a natural laxative and diuretic.

But above all, asparagus is easy! Forget having to rush out to get your very own ‘you beaut’ asparagus steamer. And the same goes for asparagus peelers. It’s time to dispel the myth that asparagus is only for gourmet cooks. Simply snap off the coarse ends and you are only minutes away from a tantalising dish - whether you steam it, stir-fry it, bake it, grill it, blend it or even toss it on the barbecue!

Further to our previous media release, this package has been proudly brought to you by the Australian Asparagus Council a group of 74 asparagus growers in the Koo Wee Rup, Bairnsdale and Lindenow areas of Victoria. Here over 70% of Australia’s asparagus crop is produced. But there is more to this region than meets the eye! It is a region rich in stories.

Leading export nation

Here you’ll find passionate and committed farmers who have helped boost the Victorian economy to the tune of $40 million, with more than 60% of Victorian asparagus being exported, accounting for 45% Victoria’s vegetable exports. Australia is the biggest world trader in asparagus.

The integrity of times past

In times past, you would have seen umpteen teams of Clydesdale horses pulling carts piled high with dewy fresh asparagus through the characteristic morning mists rising from the rich peaty soils. Today, George Giles - the last working Clydesdale horse in the Koo Wee Rup area - provides a valuable link with the past. Whilst all the other growers in the area now use modified self-steering tractors to pull asparagus laden carts back to the packing shed, owner Hayden Giles is as thrilled with the job that George does as he is with his companionship.

From times past to innovation in farming techniques

Frank Butera, director of VBA Farming Pty Ltd, discovered an innovative way to dispose of fern debris, albeit very much trial by accident! A friend in another area recalled the story of how his son accidentally set fire to a section of the paddock, and how production was surprisingly good the following year. Frank has since developed a naked flame burner to clean up the asparagus fern debris and help prevent disease.

Emerging from the paddock, then on to the plate

Did you know that at the height of its growing season, single spears of asparagus can grow more than 1cm in an hour? Join the Jeffrey family on one of their popular Gippsland Green Asparagus Tours, which operate between September and December each year. See for yourself how this fascinating vegetable grows, emerging triumphant from the soil. Then watch, from a specially built viewing platform, how freshly picked asparagus moves through the ‘state of the art’ Gippsland Green computerised asparagus processing system - one of the most technically advanced systems internationally. You’ll move from the processing shed to the kitchen where you’ll be greeted by Kerri Burge, who’ll show you how asparagus can be transformed into sumptuous dishes.

Eat at home

It’s time we appreciated how delicious and versatile this amazing and delectable vegetable is. With this in mind, let’s spread the word that best describes Fresh asparagus - it’s ‘easy’!

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