The University of California has launched UC Food Observer, a daily selection of must-read news on food policy, nutrition, agriculture and more.
Developed as part of its Global Food Initiative, the UC Food Observer blog (www.ucfoodobserver.com) and related social media channels capture and highlight important news and further discussions about the world of food.
UC Food Observer will be curated by Rose Hayden-Smith, a UC academic whose work focuses on food systems and history. She most recently served as a UC 4-H youth, family and community development advisor and as leader for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ strategic initiative in sustainable food systems. Her book, "Sowing the Seeds of Victory: American Gardening Programs of World War I," published by McFarland, was released in spring 2014.
“UC Food Observer aims to contribute to one of the most important conversations in the world today – food in the broadest sense, which affects us all,” Hayden-Smith said.
For policy wonks to the public at large, UC Food Observer is intended to be a daily roundup of interesting food-related news, reports and thought pieces from a broad range of sources.
“Food encompasses many disciplines. It’s about climate science, culture, economy, health, law, policy, social science and a multitude of other fields that UC is actively engaged in,” UC President Janet Napolitano said. “As a public research university, it’s important for UC to help build awareness and advance discussions to address these critical issues.”
Napolitano, together with UC's 10 chancellors, launched the Global Food Initiative in July in an effort to help put UC's campuses, the state, nation and world on a pathway to sustainably and nutritiously feed themselves.