Food & Farm News
» August 26, 2008 «
Farmers hard-hit by metal thieves 
Metal thieves have hit nearly all the farms in Merced County, prompting law enforcement officials to offer prevention tips at a meeting tonight (Tuesday) at the county Farm Bureau. High prices for scrap metal attract thieves who need quick cash. Bills that would help law enforcement track stolen metal sold to scrap-metal dealers are moving through the Legislature. Tonight's session will focus on what can be done until the bills become law.
California commodities earn a perfect score
Blueberries, strawberries, spinach, oranges, mustard greens and broccoli are among the super foods with the highest nutrient density. That's according to a measurement system developed by Yale University's Prevention Research Center. The system ranks foods on a numeric scale and those six received 100, the highest score possible. All are grown in California.
California wheat growers enjoy a bumper harvest
Travelers in the Central Valley may see piles of harvested wheat. Because it usually doesn't rain there in summer and early fall, wheat can be stored on the ground without quality loss. Growers in other states say rain often degrades ground-stored wheat, but they must use this method as grain storage facilities are full. California wheat growers have a bumper harvest. Worldwide demand for wheat is expected to keep prices high, even though growers in all states are reporting high yields.
Note to parents: Try, try again
Can taste buds be trained? Research shows that genetics might cause some people, especially kids, to be super-sensitive to bitter foods. However, repeated exposure to bitter tastes, such as broccoli, often helps kids overcome their aversions. Once they reach adolescence, their taste buds change sensitivity. Researchers say parents often stop trying to get children to eat foods once they first reject them.
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