Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Here's your chance to win a pasta prize package! Readers, complete the word search puzzle at right and either drop off or mail your entry to the Transcript's downtown New Rockford office. You could win one of 10 prize packages courtesy of the North Dakota Wheat Commission and this newspaper, featuring pasta and other fun items! Entries must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Entries may also be mailed to PO Box 752, New Rockford, ND 58356, but must be received by Wednesday. We will randomly draw 10 entries from the box, and winners will be announced in the Oct. 25 edition of the Transcript.
October is here, which means "It's Pasta Time!" October is National Pasta Month, and the North Dakota Wheat Commission will continue its tradition of recognizing the state's dedicated durum producers, and the associated durum milling and pasta manufacturing industries. To help celebrate National Pasta Month and educate consumers on the importance of durum and pasta production, the commission will be partnering with statewide media to provide durum and pasta facts and trivia. Participating newspapers and radio stations will provide opportunities for readers and listeners to win a pasta prize package.
Pasta is a much loved food in the U.S. and around the world. Each year, the average American consumes about 20 pounds of pasta, and while consumer research indicates that spaghetti is the favorite pasta meal, there are endless pasta meal options with over 600 pasta shapes and countless types of sauces to choose from. The North Dakota Wheat Commission encourages you to enjoy your favorite pasta dish, or try out a new recipe to celebrate Pasta Month.
There would be no pasta without durum and North Dakota remains the top producer of this class of wheat, on average producing enough durum to make about two billion pounds of pasta. Montana, Arizona and California also produce durum. North Dakota durum acres have declined in recent years due to both local and world dynamics, however, the producers growing durum remain as dedicated as ever to producing a quality product to make premium pasta products.
A good share of our production is processed in-state at one of these facilities: Minot Milling, a division of Philadelphia Macaroni located in Minot, N.D .; Dakota Growers Pasta Company located in Carrington, N.D .; and the North Dakota Mill in Grand Forks, N.D. North Dakota durum is also sent out of state to mills throughout the United States, and to customers around the world. Italy is the largest international buyer, but North Dakota durum also finds its way to countries in North Africa and smaller markets in Central America and Europe.
Celebrate pasta month by learning more about our state's durum and pasta production and make one of your favorite pasta dishes. For great pasta cooking tips and recipes, visit http://www.sharethepasta.org and for more information on pasta month, visit http://www.ndwheat.com. The Wheat Commission would like to thank our dedicated pasta month sponsors: Dakota Growers Pasta and the U.S. Durum Growers.
