Community Nutrition and Health

veggie garden plan

Man arranges boxes of plums

Article

Plum breeding gets a boost from new gene ‘catalog’

October 3, 2025

By Trina Kleist

UC Davis researchers in the Department of Plant Sciences have laid the foundation for understanding the genes that control the ripening process in plums. Po-Kai Huang, a postdoctoral scholar, discovered three groups of genes that correspond to fruit softening at different rates. He also found other factors…

The project includes one test bed served by an AI system and one watered traditionally

Article

AI-powered irrigation system offers opportunities for communications, farming

October 2, 2025

By Patty Guerra

UC Merced, UC ANR partner to test AI-guided watering of almond orchard at Kearney RECAn almond orchard in Parlier provides a look into the future of farming.Researchers at University of California, Merced and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources installed an irrigation system…

Kearney REC researchers and IRTA scientists line up for a photograph in front of the research center

Article

UC ANR, Catalan research institute to spur innovations for agrifood systems

September 30, 2025

By Michael Hsu

UC ANR and the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology will prioritize research and innovation in food systems to develop and deliver new tools and resources to farmers and ranchers across California and beyond.

Closeup of leaf being scanned by the Leaf Monitor tool

Article

AI tool to help farmers measure real-time crop health from the field

September 24, 2025

Leaf Monitor, a new mobile tool backed by artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, could revolutionize how farmers monitor crops and make decisions by providing real-time nutrition and leaf trait information in the field.

Food trucks in Sacramento

Article

UC ANR offers ‘Taste of California’ at Terra Madre festival Sept. 26-28

September 21, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

F3 Local, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP), Master Food Preservers, 4-H youth, and Southwest Regional Food Business Center partners will participate.

Cover crops in the foreground with mountains in the distance

Article

New online tool helps growers choose cover crops

September 19, 2025

By Michael Hsu

For the first time, farmers in California and throughout the West have a decision-support tool that recommends cover-crop species based on growers’ goals.

Ngodoo Atume talks about her poster on SGMA and small farmers

Article

UC ANR team helps small farmers understand historic, decade-old groundwater law

September 12, 2025

By Michael Hsu

To raise awareness of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act among small farmers, a UC ANR team is providing technical assistance, education and outreach.

Gloria Allorbi stands in a kitchen holding a bottle of Ghanaian vegan chili oil

Article

Business Builder Awards infuse $1.5M into food enterprises across Southwest

September 2, 2025

By Tracy B Celio

Southwest Regional Food Business Center awards 73 Business Builder grants to farmers and food entrepreneurs to strengthen local food systems in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah.

Julie Katawicz and Hedman Okella pose in front of a sign: San Benito County 4-H, Juventino M. Ortiz youth development center, 1479 Nash Road

Article

Farmers, food producers to gather at California Earthworkers Summit on Sept. 11-12

August 28, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Summit at UC Santa Cruz to discuss approaches to climate, environment, agriculture and food system resilienceFarmers and food producers are invited to participate in the inaugural California Earthworkers Summit on Sept. 11–12 at UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology Farm. Held at the UC Santa…

Aerial view of harvester driving through crop field

Article

How can we feed a growing population?

August 27, 2025

By Ria DeBiase

In his UC Press book, “Food Fight,” UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus Richard J. Sexton contends misguided policies that reduce food crop yields or redirect food crops for use as biofuels may be taking us further from the goal of adequately feeding the world in the future.

rows of cilantro in field

Article

UC releases costs of growing cilantro, parsley

August 26, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

For commercial growers considering planting cilantro or parsley, the costs and returns of producing in Ventura County are outlined in a new study by the University of California Cooperative Extension, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Institute, and UC Davis Department…

Joy Hollingsworth holds a microphone and stands in a vineyard discussing her research on the red-colored panels attached to the trellises

Article

Grape Day shows San Joaquin Valley growers ‘what works in our area, for our crops’

August 20, 2025

By Michael Hsu

Wine, table and raisin grape growers gathered for Grape Day at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center to hear about the latest innovations from UC scientists.

People stand in a field for a demonstration of a solar-powered robot providing chemical-free autonomous weed control

Article

Farmers invited to test robots, high-tech solutions at Sept. 17 soil-health field day

August 11, 2025

By Hanif R Houston, Michael Hsu

UC Merced hosts VINE Connect Field Day on Sept. 17, when seven ag tech startups will demonstrate solutions designed to meet pressing challenges facing California agriculture.

Twelve people of mixed races sitting around a dining table

Article

SNAP-Ed-supported program energizes older adults through gardening

August 5, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

For the past 20 years, the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE team has provided invaluable nutrition classes and gardening classes for Palo Vista Gardens residents in Alameda County.

Seven farmers sitting at a long table on stage facing the audience

Article

Regenerative agriculture community charts way forward

August 1, 2025

By Srabani Das, Sara Rosenberg

UC ANR and UC Merced hosted a symposium, ‘Regenerative Agriculture: The way forward,’ on July 1, 2025, to bring together stakeholders to discuss regenerative agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley.

Steve Fennimore, right, stands next to grower Mark Mason

Article

Fennimore’s advice: Invest at the intersection of ag and engineering

July 31, 2025

By Trina Kleist

UC Cooperative Extension specialist Steve Fennimore has retired after 28 years with the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. But this milestone only marks the beginning of a new chapter for the weed scientist.

Emily Jane Freed smiles in a field of thyme at Jacobs Farm/del Cabo, Inc. in Santa Cruz County

Article

New director to elevate UC Cooperative Extension impact on Central Coast

July 30, 2025

By Michael Hsu

Emily Jane Freed began as UC Cooperative Extension area director for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties in June. She brings experience in agriculture issues, logistics and emergency services administration and she aims to help UCCE academics provide even greater benefit to local communities.

People carrying vegetables out of a field

Article

Small farms, food businesses to lose vital USDA support

July 21, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Southwest Food Business Center seeks new path to keep small farms and food businesses growingApryl Sims was excited to sell 100 bottles of her cold-pressed, fruit and vegetable-based juices to a local store in South Los Angeles. Sims, the owner of Apryl’s Life in a Bottle, received marketing…

Ag fields between a winding river and mountains in the distance

Article

UC ANR–led FutureFood Engine named semifinalist in NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition

July 16, 2025

By Hanif R Houston

The FutureFood Engine, led by UC ANR and backed by more than 50 partners across California and Nevada, has been selected as a semifinalist in the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines competition.

Santos stands beneath an arch decorated with red, yellow and green vegetable ornaments. Three women stand on both sdies of him

Article

‘Don Santos’ leaves legacy of healthy habits in Contra Costa County

June 23, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

UC EFNEP educator Santos Lopez has helped people improve their eating and physical activity habits by delivering bilingual nutrition lessons to families in Contra Costa County. He is retiring after serving the community for 17 years.

Community Nutrition and Health

What we do

Teach nutrition education to youth and families.
Provide nutrition tools and information to make healthier food choices.
Train teachers and community organizations to use our nutrition curriculum.
Offer training to volunteers to prepare food safely at community events.

What sets us apart

All programs, curricula, and educational tools are evidence-based.
Education services are free of cost.

Nutrition Education

San Joaquin County offers nutrition and physical activity education through two programs.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE

Get to know your local Farmers Market

Farmers markets are easy to find:

Use the USDA Farmers Markets Search to find one near you. Due to their flexible locations, some community farmers markets provide fresh, healthy foods when other sources aren't as easily accessed.

SNAP and WIC cards are accepted at most farmers markets.

Click here for more information on food assistance programs.

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