Food & Farm News

» November 7, 2012 «

Heat leads to early crop maturation

Record-breaking temperatures have caused some winter vegetable crops to mature faster than anticipated in the California desert, adding to existing challenges from weather earlier in the year. Growers in the Imperial Valley say they're concerned that crops such as spinach and other leafy greens may mature before there is enough consumer demand to match the supply. Crops from the Imperial Valley represent most of the nation's fresh vegetable supplies during the winter months.

Brussels sprout season hits halfway mark

If you're planning to include Brussels sprouts on your Thanksgiving menu, farmers say they expect prices will be down slightly from last year's record high. Farmers along the Central Coast report they've harvested about half of the Brussels sprout crop, and that quality is improved from last year. Farmers say relatively mild weather should help this year's crop stay about on par with harvest volumes from 2011.

Don't play chicken with raw turkey

Millions of turkeys will be roasting in American kitchens later this month, and health advocates say proper food handling is vital to assure a safe holiday season. The Partnership for Food Safety Education has developed online resources for families on how to handle food safely. The website provides information on purchasing, thawing and cooking a turkey as well as menu tips and recipes. Videos on the site in English and Spanish demonstrate proper food handling.

Farmers donate fruits, vegetables

As the holidays approach, food banks prepare for one of their busiest times … and many benefit from donations of fresh produce made by farmers. A number of programs connect California farmers with local food banks. The Farm to Family program operated by the California Association of Food Banks says it expects to provide 124 million pounds of fresh produce to food banks this year, and that the amount of donated produce has been increasing.