Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Nutrition


Davis think-tank event invites solutions to world hunger – from the Sacramento Bee

By Sammy Caiola How do you feed 9 billion people by 2050? That question was posed Friday to a room of UC Davis students, community activists, farmers and Monsanto executives at a think tank-style event on campus. About 70 attendees … Continue reading

Posted in Food Access, Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Food hubs a valuable tool for farmers and consumers – from the Sacramento Bee

By Edward Ortiz, Sacramento Bee When employees at technology giant Oracle sit down to lunch, they often eat produce grown in Yolo County’s Capay Valley. The fruits and veggies come from the Capay Valley Farm Shop, which buys from more … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

USDA announces grants to enable more farmers’ markets to serve low-income families

USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the availability of up to $3.3 million in competitive funding to support the ability of farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (CalFresh in California). These … Continue reading

Posted in Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Nutrition | 1 Comment

USDA Awards Grants to Support Schools Serving Healthier Meals and Snacks

Up to $25 million will be provided for new food service equipment; $5.5 million for training WASHINGTON, March 6, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding over $30 million … Continue reading

Posted in Food Access, Nutrition | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New study shows kids eating more healthy food at school – from the USDA

A new study from the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut shows that children are eating healthier food at school and discarding less food since updated healthy school meal standards took effect in 2012. USDA Secretary … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ag Day is Coming! Mark Your Calendars!

California Ag Day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 on the west steps of the State Capitol. Join CDFA and our partners, California Women for Agriculture and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, for this outdoor, springtime event complete with tractors, … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

USDA announces $9 million to support Community Food Projects program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $9 million in funding to assist low-income individuals and communities in developing local and independent food systems. … Continue reading

Posted in Community-based Food System, Food Access, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

California among states selected by USDA for participation in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables

Pilot will support schools’ efforts to procure more fruits and vegetables; Offers new opportunity that supports local producers and local economies WASHINGTON, December 8, 2014 – Today USDA announced the selection of eight states to participate in the Pilot Project … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Nutrition | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Governor Brown, Secretary Ross recognize December as Farm to Food Bank Month

Farm to Food Bank Month California is America’s most robust and bountiful agricultural producer. With over 81,000 farms and approximately 400 crops, agriculture in the Golden State is responsible for feeding much of the nation and world. As California’s economy … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Food Access, Nutrition, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Why California’s drought-stressed fruit may be better for you – From KQED

By Sasha Khokha California’s severe drought is putting stress on everyone these days: the residents whose wells are running dry; the farmers forced to experiment with growing their produce with much less water; and of course, the thirsty fruits and … Continue reading

Posted in Drought, Nutrition | Tagged | 1 Comment