Fruit growers try tricking Mother Nature
Producers in northern Michigan grow a variety of fruits, but tart cherries – sour cherries – are one of their biggest crops. Fickle spring weather has resulted in extreme temperatures …
Packing an orchard in a bottle
Jill Neimark (@jillneimark) writes for NPR’s The Salt. Per Neimark, U.S. producers are taking a cherished tradition from the Alsace region of France…and producing craft brandies that feature whole fruit …
Drought watch: a rogue’s gallery of water guzzlers
One response to California’s disastrous drought has been to point fingers at specific crops and frame them as villains. But it’s not that simple. For example, while almonds consume a …
Is it time for a warning label on sugary drinks?
Few disagree that the consumption of sugary beverages is contributing to the national crisis of obesity and chronic disease, including Type 2 diabetes. Various ideas have been suggested to cut …
UC Food Observer chooses a handful of important stories for you to read as you finish your work week. On the menu, in no particular order: a Q & A …
There’s a science behind brewing: colleges and universities are taking note
Americans love beer. On average, a new craft brewery opens each day somewhere in the nation. Colleges and universities have long offered courses in brewing, including minors and certificate programs, …
Debate over a marketing “checkoff” fund for organics
A checkoff is a mechanism that provides for regular payment of a “tax” or levy on sales of agricultural goods, which are then used to finance a commodity-specific marketing program. …
Grocery stores are evolving. Why? They’ve lost your business and they want it back. Traditional grocers are losing market share to competitors (including farmers markets, dollar stores, and smaller retail …
Cool beans: they’re designed to beat climate change
The earth is warming. This will certainly require new food crops that can adapt to the changing climate and resource constraints. The latest hope centers on beans being grown in …
A push to move SNAP recipients into jobs
There’s a push to move food stamp recipients into jobs. Critics say the benefit program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), discourages people from seeking jobs. The Obama …