PEI WEI PUTS QUINOA ON THE MENU

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 12, 2016) – Pei Wei is giving guests a new way to boost nutrition and flavor in their customizable meals with the introduction of quinoa on the menu. It is the first Asian-inspired fast casual restaurant to offer quinoa, which will be available at Pei Wei’s more than 200 restaurants through July 4.

The nutrient-dense, gluten-free ancient grain, which is a good source of protein, fiber, iron, thiamin and vitamin B-6, is featured for a limited time in the new Korean Spicy with Quinoa. Guests can also pair quinoa with any of Pei Wei’s Wok Classic entrees for an additional 99 cents.
The Korean Spicy with Quinoa, starting at just under $8, is made with nutritious, flavorful ingredients including carrots, edamame, freshly chopped red bell peppers, bean sprouts and scallions. The dish is wok-cooked with sesame oil and spicy sauce, inspired by the sweet-tangy-spicy flavors of traditional Korean bulgogi, then lightly tossed in soy sauce. It can be ordered with chicken, steak, shrimp or tofu.

“As a leader within the fast casual industry, Pei Wei offers guests bold flavors and light options made with high-quality ingredients selected for taste and nutritional value,” said Pei Wei Chief Marketing Officer Clay Dover. “We added quinoa to our spring menu to give Pei Wei guests a new way to take care of themselves through better food choices.”

Now available with quinoa or salad, Pei Wei’s Wok Classics are made to order in 10 flavorful recipes such as Mongolian, Kung Pao, Ginger Broccoli and Sweet & Sour.

Chairman Conaway wants answers from EPA for funding recent anti-farmer campaign

Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) sent a letter to Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requesting information regarding EPA’s $3 million cooperative agreement with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission that funded an advocacy campaign attacking farmers and ranchers in Washington State. The advocacy campaign includes billboards, bus placards, and a website that encourages the public to contact their state lawmakers using a pre-written email. According to a recent news report, EPA has acknowledged that the use of EPA financial assistance to fund this campaign was a violation of federal law.

“While this advocacy campaign is troubling, we are even more concerned that it appears to be part of a broader pattern of mismanagement of federal funds at EPA,” Chairman Conaway wrote in the letter. “The cooperative agreement with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission is one of many awarded as part of EPA Region 10’s Puget Sound Action Agenda. When viewed in context with the EPA OIG report and the recent GAO legal decision, the ‘What’s Upstream’ campaign seems to be merely the most recent indicator of a lack of appropriate oversight at EPA.”