Bend Bulletin Looks at Smith Frozen Foods' Government Contracts

September 30th 2008 10:44am



Today's Bend Bulletin looks at Smith Frozen Foods, the Eastern Oregon food-processing plant owned by U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore), noting:



Government records show that Smith Frozen Foods ramped up its government contracting over the past decade. Before Smith joined the Senate, Smith Frozen Foods earned a total of $2.9 million, in five separate contracts, in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1986. After, the company won $9.4 million in 15 contracts, from 1997 to 2001. Smith’s campaign declined to comment. He is running against Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley this fall. “I think we will let the facts, as transparent and above board as they are, speak for themselves,â€