Donald Trump as “foodie in chief.” Food was central to the Obama White House. In fact, President Barack Obama was even interviewed in the White House kitchen in 2015 by NBC’s …
As 2016 winds down, Teresa and I want to share a few of our favorite things that appeared in UC Food Observer this last year. While we love “raindrops on roses and …
The voice of rural America roared in this election. Rural Americans have been talking, but we haven’t always heard…or listened. I suspect more will listen now. The urban-rural divide has …
Head to Farm to Understand Today’s Chaotic Political Scene
The urban-rural divide has been a source of tension in American political, economic and sociocultural life throughout much of our nation’s history. As an historian, some of my work explores …
Q&A: Ferd Hoefner, policy expert, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
“Another point of inspiration to me is the interest in food. There are so many more active citizens that are wearing a food hat, however they define it – nutrition, …
Online education to improve nutrition, China (organics and meat) and more
Good morning. We hope that you are having a great day. On the menu: Free online cooking and nutrition classes can improve “eating behaviors and meal composition.” A study published in the …
Can Latin America do palm oil right?
Ensia is a magazine (online and print) that showcases “environmental solutions in action.” It’s produced by the Institute of the Environment at the University of Minnesota, and covers a wide …
Study finds colon cancer risk may be reduced by rural African diet
Researchers have found that swapping out a westernized diet for meals traditionally found in rural Africa may reduce the risk of colon cancer. A trial involving African Americans who replaced …
In Brazil, indigenous peoples battle land law change
A battle is shaping up in Brazilian politics that is pitting that nation’s indigenous peoples against powerful agribusiness, timber and mining interests. Brazil’s indigenous peoples are organizing against PEC 215, …
Conflict over nitrates in water, soil puts Iowa “nice” to a test
Des Moines Water Works, which provides drinking water to nearly 500,000 Iowa residents, has sued three adjacent rural Iowa counties over a nitrates issue. The suit alleges that nitrate runoff …