Nutrition & Health

Playworks, a national nonprofit organization that promotes structured, inclusive recess in low-income elementary schools, has been shown to improve student engagement, physical activity, and school climate. However, little is known about whether programs like Playworks—where trained adults lead games that…

Too early to plant? Consider taking on these lightweight garden infrastructure projects! Use cold frames, raised beds, and other season extenders to get a head-start on planting outdoors.As we look at sunny skies and longer days in May, we get the urge to plant annual flowers and vegetables. However, in the…

Preserve it! Time for a Review  Before planning this year’s garden or trips to the farmers market, let’s look at your pantry and freezer with a keen eye. Take stock of what you preserved last season and what you have consumed up to this point.  If, by this time of the year, you have an abundance of…

Research Brief • April 2026 • Download PDF (180KB)Background California’s School Meals for All (SMFA) program launched in the 2022–23 school year, following federal pandemic relief efforts that provided universal school meals across the US from 2020–22.1 Traditionally, school meal eligibility has been…

The Food Security Supplement to the United States Census Current Population Survey, or Household Food Security Survey Module, is one of the most valuable federal datasets for understanding food insecurity and evaluating nutrition policy in the US. Despite its value, the US Department of Agriculture …

The Basics of Growing Edible Crops in Tahoe  by Kristianne H., UC Master Gardener of the Lake Tahoe BasinOvercome ChallengesA Short Window: The average frost-free growing season is only about 93 days.The frost-free window typically runs from June 18 to September 19. This is unpredictable! Freezing…

VegetableCyclePollinationPollinatorIsolation DistanceSeedLongevitySaving EaseDirectTransNotesBeanASelf 100’2-3 yrseasyDLose vigor rapidly.SoybeanASelf 100’2-3 yrseasyD Beet/ChardBCrossWind½ mi3-5 yrs*DBeets cross with chards.Broccoli/Kale/CauliflowerBCrossInsects½ mi3-5 yrs  …

Monica Gross, Los Angeles Co., Online Delivery Program VolunteerDehydration is one of the earliest preservation methods developed by humankind. There is evidence from Middle Eastern and Asian cultures that dehydration was used as a method of preservation as far back as 12,000 BCE. The hot sun was harnessed…