Posts Tagged: Thompson

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue! And the Yellow...

Today is the Fourth of July, and what better time to proclaim: "Hurray for the red, white and...

Hurrah for the red, white and blue! And the yellow. Honey bee mobiles were spinning in the wind at a Bodega Bay campsite. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Hurrah for the red, white and blue! And the yellow. Honey bee mobiles were spinning in the wind at a Bodega Bay campsite. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

President George Washington liked honey bees--and the honey they produced--for his hoecakes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

President George Washington liked honey bees--and the honey they produced--for his hoecakes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The UC Davis Version of 'The Splash Brothers'

What do UC Davis entomologists and other scientists do for fun and camaraderie after working hard...

It was “fun in the sun” at the 13th annual Bruce Hammock Lab Water Balloon Battle. From left are Todd Harris and Sing Lee, assistant project scientists; graduate student Alifia Merchant who just received her master's degree in agriculture and environmental chemistry, and research scientist Christophe Morisseau, who coordinated the event. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

It was “fun in the sun” at the 13th annual Bruce Hammock Lab Water Balloon Battle. From left are Todd Harris and Sing Lee, assistant project scientists; graduate student Alifia Merchant who just received her master's degree in agriculture and environmental chemistry, and research scientist Christophe Morisseau, who coordinated the event. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Alifia Merchant of the Hammock lab drenches Bruce Hammock. She just received her master's degree in agriculture and environmental chemistry. In the foreground is executive administrative assistant Louisa Lo. At right is Hammock lab researcher and balloon battle coordinator Christophe Morisseau. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Alifia Merchant of the Hammock lab drenches Bruce Hammock. She just received her master's degree in agriculture and environmental chemistry. In the foreground is executive administrative assistant Louisa Lo. At right is Hammock lab researcher and balloon battle coordinator Christophe Morisseau. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ting Xu (far right), a visiting professor from China, gets splashed. At left is Hammock lab research scientist Christopher Morisseau. Associate professor Aldrin Gomes is in the background. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ting Xu (far right), a visiting professor from China, gets splashed. At left is Hammock lab research scientist Christopher Morisseau. Associate professor Aldrin Gomes is in the background. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Tom Joseph, a visiting student from France (Aldrin Gomes lab) targets Christophe Morisseau of the Hammock lab. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Tom Joseph, a visiting student from France (Aldrin Gomes lab) targets Christophe Morisseau of the Hammock lab. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Postharvest technology is something of a mystery

Postharvest technology. Hmmm. What does that even mean to you?  Like most people, you’ve probably never thought about it, but it actually affects you every day. At least whenever you eat fruits and vegetables, and let’s face it, we all need to be eating more fruits and vegetables. 

Working at the Postharvest Technology Center, I often think about how to spread our mission of how to reduce postharvest losses and improve the quality, safety and marketability of fresh horticultural products. Part of doing this is educating consumers about making good choices so they have a better experience eating fruits and vegetables. And, if consumers have a better experience with fruits and vegetables, we eat more of them. If we can create demand at the consumer end, it will trickle through to the people that handle your produce: processors, retailers, distributors, carriers, marketers, shippers and finally growers.

I spoke with Jim Thompson, who wrote “From the Farm to Your Table: A Consumer’s Guide to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables” along with Adel Kader, two distinguished experts in the field of postharvest technology. Thompson said they wrote the publication knowing that, “For most consumers, it’s kind of a mystery what influences the quality of their produce. This publication answers some of the questions of how to make good choices at the market and at home.”

Thompson adds, “There are many things that can steal quality from produce. And it starts at the farm.” 

The type of cultivar the farmer chooses to plant and what kind of soil, temperature and light conditions, irrigation and fertilization practices at the farm affect flavor and nutritional quality. When the product was harvested, how it was handled prior to arrival at your market, and how your market stores the product all influence the quality of your produce. 

You certainly know which market in town has the best produce section, and it’s important to you. In fact, according to the 2011 National Grocers Association Consumer Survey Report, “Consumers say they are keeping health a priority—and 91 percent regard a stellar produce department as a ‘very important’ factor in where they buy groceries. This is precisely the same percentage as a year ago, which represented a dramatic five-point jump from the 86% level of two years ago.  While the recession may have withered wallets, it hasn’t hurt consumers’ resolve on this measure.”

If you’d like to learn more about how you can make the most of your fresh fruit and vegetable experiences, the Postharvest Technology Center is offering a 40 percent discount (making it only $4.20!) on “From the Farm to Your Table” through the end of September 2012. And as long as you’re there, our other consumer publication, the poster “Storing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Better Taste” (just $1) would be a lovely addition to your refrigerator! 

Please contact us at (530) 754-4326 or postharvest2@plantsciences.ucdavis.edu  if you’re interested in ordering multiple copies for a nutrition, health or cooking class or you can purchase them through our online bookstore.

UC Davis scientists to discuss aquatic invasive species and research on endangered fish

A pair of leading UC Davis experts will provide a rare glimpse into efforts to protect California biodiversity at a public lecture May 10, 4–6 p.m., in the UC Davis Conference Center.

Lisa Thompson, a UC Cooperative Extension specialist and director of the Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture, will discuss how the campus’ specialized aquatic laboratory plays a crucial role in research into endangered and threatened fish such as Delta smelt and green sturgeon. Ted Grosholz, an environmental sciences and policy professor and UC Cooperative Extension specialist, will share his insights into the science and management of invasive marine and estuarine organisms such as zebra mussels, oyster drills, and European green crabs.

Their work is featured in the current issue of “CA&ES Outlook,” the magazine of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The magazine also examines the work of other UC Davis scientists and students working to conserve biodiversity in California.

The event concludes with a reception and an opportunity to visit with Thompson, Grosholz, CA&ES dean Neal Van Alfen, and other participants. The cost is $15 per person. To register, go to https://registration.ucdavis.edu.

For additional information about this event, please contact Carrie Cloud at (530) 204-7500 or crcloud@ucdavis.edu.

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