Food & Farm News

» August 31, 2011 «

California farm revenues reach new high

Representing one sector of the state's economy that has remained solid, California farmers and ranchers earned more than $37 billion in 2010, establishing a record. A new government report said the state's top crop, milk, brought higher revenue to dairies … but many still struggled to make a profit because of daunting feed prices. The report said the on-farm value of both pistachios and walnuts exceeded $1 billion for the first time.

Burger consumption on the rise

Just in time for Labor Day barbecues comes news that Americans' love of hamburgers has only increased. The "Burger Consumer Trend Report" found that 48 percent of consumers say they eat a hamburger at least once a week, up nearly 10 percent when compared with the previous year. When asked why they made their most recent burger purchase, the top response from consumers was, "a craving." The research was conducted by restaurant industry analysts.

Mushrooms make modest gains

"Modest gains in the economy" received credit for an increase in mushroom sales, according to a government report. The U.S. Agriculture Department says mushroom sales volume rose 9 percent in the just-concluded marketing year. The typical American now eats nearly 4 pounds of mushrooms a year. California ranks second in the nation in mushroom production, behind Pennsylvania.

Bees stay busy with pollination, honey production

California honeybees face few problems finding water this summer, and the bees have been able to gather a large amount of pollen during the past month, according to a report on honey production. The bees are currently pollinating onion seed, sunflowers, alfalfa, melons and squash. The report also showed that unprocessed California honey fetches some of the highest prices in the world.