U.S. and International Popularity of Soyfoods Showcase on Capitol Hill
Chef Jeff Buben to Premier New Recipe/Variety of Soyfoods on Display

March 30, 2004...Washington, D.C....Washington, D.C. is getting a taste of why soyfoods are increasingly popular across America and overseas. On Tuesday, March 30, the American Soybean Association (ASA) is hosting a Capitol Hill luncheon "Soy Good: Kids and Adults Love It!" to highlight soyfoods for U.S. and international consumers of all ages.

Award-winning chef/owner Jeff Buben of Washington, D.C.'s popular Bistro Bis and Vidalia restaurants is premiering his new Green Soybean Tartine "Provencale" at the event that is attended by invitation only. Fresh Start Catering at D.C. Central Kitchen will provide a wide array of soy foods that are appropriate for events ranging from fine-dining menus to U.S. and global school meals. ASA is holding the event in cooperation with the Archer Daniels Midland Company, Monsanto, QUALISOY, The Solae Company and The Soyfoods Council.

"America's soybean growers are pleased to host this event to let policymakers and their staff experience how great soyfoods taste in addition to being good for them," said ASA President Ron Heck, a soybean grower from Perry, Iowa. "This is also an opportunity to showcase the benefits and flexibility of soy in school meal programs for kids in America as well as Africa, Asia, Latin America and many other places."

Soy can play an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of children who can't drink cow's milk. Therefore, ASA supports the inclusion of fortified soymilk as a reimbursable option in U.S. federal child nutrition programs, including the national school lunch and breakfast programs.

Likewise, soy has much to offer global school lunch initiatives because it is easily blended into foods that children already like, and it provides an important boost to the protein content of foods that children need to grow. Global hunger-fighting organizations have already started using high-protein soy products in stews, breads and many other foods. U.S. soybean growers saw this key role for soy when they launched the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Program that works with private voluntary organizations, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and others to combat hunger and improve human health in developing countries.

ASA is pleased to have the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) at the soyfoods luncheon to highlight the new campaign (www.19centsaday.org) that points out that it only costs 19 cents to feed a child a nutritious meal. The effort seeks to feed 32 million school children by 2005, twice the number fed today. ASA also supports $150 million in 2005 Congressional appropriations for the George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

In 2003, nearly nine out of 10 U.S. consumers were somewhat or very concerned about the nutritional content of food, according to the 10th annual nationwide survey of consumer attitudes conducted by an independent research firm for the United Soybean Board. The survey showed that 74 percent of U.S. consumers perceived soy products as healthy while 62 percent agreed that consuming soy-based foods can play a role in reducing obesity.

For more information contact:

Ron Heck, ASA President, 515/275-2853, checkers@netins.net
Bev Paul, ASA Washington Representative, 202-969-7036, bpaul@gordley.com
Linda Funk, Soyfoods Council Executive Director, 515-727-0796, lfunk@thesoyfoodscouncil.com
Jim Hershey, WISHH Program Director, 314-576-1770, jhershey@asaim.soy.org
Bob Callanan, ASA Communications Director, 314/576-1770, bcallanan@soy.org
Access this release at http://www.soygrowers.com