Nutrition & Health

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two orange and green tomatoes with water droplets appear on a vine
UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County: Article

Central Sierra: To Prune Tomatoes or Not to Prune Tomatoes

August 19, 2025
Understanding the when, why, and how of pruning tomatoes for the best yield To prune or not to prune tomatoes, that is a question that backyard tomato growers need to answer for themselves. Growing strong, healthy tomato plants increases the chance of getting a large crop of delicious tomatoes. The…
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A dark brown insect on a light surface.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Just a Kiss? Kissing Bugs in Summer

August 19, 2025
By Marco Metzger, California Department of Public Health
This article covers kissing bugs (also known as conenose bugs). They are an occasional summertime insect pest of sparsely-inhabited rural or suburban areas.
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healthy fresh peaches on a tree branch
UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Central Sierra: Think Georgia Produces the Most Peaches? Think again!

August 19, 2025
By Robin E Martin
Preserve It! Peaches!  Don't Hesitate to Buy Loads of Fuzzy Peaches (in season!)  Have you noticed that fresh peaches have more fuzz than peaches in grocery stores? Before peaches are sold in grocery stores, some of the fuzz is removed to make it more appealing. It is thought that too much fuzz on…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Hannah Thompson joins KQED Forum to discuss the history and future of school fitness testing

August 18, 2025
By Danielle Lee, Hannah R Thompson
Nutrition Policy Institute researcher Hannah Thompson joined KQED Forum to discuss the current administration's efforts to resume the Presidential Fitness Test in schools. In her interview, Thompson explained how the US dismantled physical education programs in 2002 through the No Child Left Behind Act,…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Take-up of the Child Tax Credit by families with low income increased during COVID-19 with program expansion

August 11, 2025
By Jean Aquino, Danielle Lee, Wendi Gosliner
The Child Tax Credit, commonly known as CTC, is a social safety net program that provides financial support to families with low income. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress increased the CTC from $2,000 to $3,600 per child per year and added advance payment options to support families monthly throughout…
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Irrigator watering greenhouse plants

Share Your Insights, Receive a Free Water & Nutrient Efficiency Checkup!

August 8, 2025
By Amrita Mukherjee, Grant E Johnson, Esther N Lofton
UC Davis and UCANR, with support from the CDFA’s Water-Energy Technology Assistance (WETA) program, are inviting California protected agriculture growers—whether hydroponic, using drip irrigation, liquid feed fertilizers, or recycling water—to take a short survey on water and nutrient management. The 15–20…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New study reveals an association between WIC participation during pregnancy and gestational weight gain

August 1, 2025
By Jean Aquino, Danielle Lee, Caitlin D French
A 2025 study in the Current Developments in Nutrition, revealed that participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, may modestly decrease the risk for low gestational weight gain and slow gestational weight gain rate. Notably,…
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Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce Photo Credit: Ballmasonjars.com
Preservation Notes - San Joaquin Master Food Preservers: Article

Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce

August 1, 2025
By Colleen Young
by Colleen Young, MFP Co-Coordinator If you find yourself with extra peaches this summer, this a great way to use them up. Not to mention it is a favorite of some of my best friends. If it is a little too spicy for you just use 1 teaspoon of the hot pepper flakes. It is excellent on poultry and pork…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New research brief examines strengths and opportunities to support health promotion practices in early childhood programs

July 31, 2025
By Reka Vasicsek, Summer J Cortez, Miranda W Brown
Research by the Nutrition Policy Institute’s CalFresh Healthy Living team highlights the importance of providing tailored resources and support for nutrition and physical activity in childcare settings to create equitable early childhood environments. CalFresh Healthy Living, known nationally as SNAP-Ed,…
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Tomatoes Being Attacked - Orange County

July 30, 2025
By Loren Nelson
Question: I have some tomatoes that haven't ripened yet and have these brown scars on the bottom and this one also had some large bites out of the other side. I've been spraying the tomatoes with a bit of cedar oil diluted with water in the mornings but no other things.Do you know what might be causing…
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