Food Blog

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

A field of red strawberries planted in plastic mulch.

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UC explores alternatives to fumigants for strawberries

September 25, 2020

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Strawberries, which generated $2.2 billion for California growers mainly on the coast in 2019, are sensitive to soilborne diseases. Strawberry plant roots infected by fungi are unable to take in nutrients and water, causing the leaves and stems to wilt.

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Taking chocolate milk out of schools results in a significant reduction in added sugar consumption. (Photo: Bob Nichols, USDA).

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Kids still drink milk when chocolate milk is pulled from the menu

September 23, 2020

By Danielle Lee

Schools across the nation are removing chocolate milk from their meal programs to reduce students' intake of added sugar.

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The Market Match program makes high quality produce more accessible.

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UCCE is helping CalFresh shoppers double food dollars at farmers markets

September 22, 2020

Across California, CalFresh shoppers can use their EBT cards at most farmers markets and double the value of their benefit, up to $10 per family each market day.

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Drying peppers

September 14, 2020

If you have more fresh peppers than you can possibly use right now, you can dry them for later use. It does not matter if they are chili peppers, bell peppers or other varieties. And it does not matter if you have an electric food dehydrator or not.

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New online training is designed for beginning farmers and those or transitioning to organic practices. Photo courtesy of UC SAREP

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Organic farming lessons offered online

September 11, 2020

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Farmers who want to learn organic production practices for California specialty crops can now get training at their convenience on their own computers.

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