Food Blog

Man in straw hat picks crops in a field

The Food Blog covers our latest research and extension work to advance and optimize the production and vitality of California's abundant agricultural commodities.

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On a global scale, pests and pathogens are significantly reducing yields of rice (shown), wheat, maize, soybeans and potatoes.
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Pests and pathogens place global burden on major food crops

February 8th, 2019
By Pamela S Kan-Rice
Farmers know they lose crops to pests and plant diseases, but scientists have found that on a global scale they are reducing crop yields for five major food crops by 10 percent to 40 percent, according to a report by a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources scientist and other members of the Internati...
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Celeste Harrison with her prize-winning chocoflan dessert. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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4-H member is a winner from curly haired cavies to chocoflan

February 7th, 2019
From cavies to chili to chocoflan... Thirteen-year-old Celeste Harrison, a fourth-year member of the Sherwood Forest 4-H Club, Vallejo, shares her expertise about chili and cavies (guinea pigs), but she's also a pro in the kitchen and at making a dessert called Chocoflan. It's part cake, part flan.
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Eating lunch at school helps students make better food choices. (Photo: USDA)
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Healthy food and food insecurity

January 22nd, 2019
Farmers grow lettuce, spinach, broccoli and other vegetables in California's Imperial Valley, Central Valley, Salinas Valley and far northern counties. However, these nutritious foods are not readily available to local low income communities.
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Willow Creek Orchard mandarin picker
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For family fun and treats - a winter farm visit

December 10th, 2018
California farmers all over the state invite you to visit, shake off the city, learn a little and enjoy your holiday shopping the old-fashioned way; direct from the growers of winter fruits and creators of small-batch treats to fill your gift baskets.
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