Where The Food Comes From

🫐 Weekend Watch: Berries Bust Out 🍓 This weekend, revisit one of our “berry” favorite episodes of @WTFCF_TV! In S1.E02, we explore how berries evolved from a simple snack into a superfood phenomenon that reshaped consumer habits and agriculture across the country. From the fields to the labs at the University of Florida, discover why berries became such a major force in the food world and what it takes to bring them to families year-round. Watch how one small fruit made a huge impact on the way we eat! 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=JscOwN… #TVshow #Berries #Blueberries #Strawberries #Agriculture @blueberry_fl @WishFarms

🦋 Giving this study another look because the findings offer an important reminder about how closely human wellbeing is tied to healthy ecosystems. 🐝 Biodiversity loss is now a direct human health issue. New research from the @BristolUni shows that as pollinators decline, families face higher risks of poor nutrition, lower farm income, illness, and deeper cycles of poverty. In the communities studied, pollinators supported 44% of farming income, highlighting how deeply human wellbeing depends on biodiversity. But there is hope in the data. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/biodiversity-l… #pollinators #biodiversity #sustainabilitymatters #farming #savethebees @ucl @BristolBioSci

🥚 Busy mornings are tough enough without skipping breakfast. These Protein-Packed Egg Tot Muffins are an easy make-ahead option loaded with eggs, cheese, bacon, and crispy tater tots. Just heat them up and head out the door with a warm, filling breakfast in hand! 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/protein-packed… #easybreakfast #grabandgo #eggs #quickbreakfast #muffins

🍕 Pizza night doesn’t have to be a “cheat meal.” With a few simple swaps and additions, you can turn it into a balanced, veggie-packed favorite the whole family will love. From colorful toppings to cauliflower crust and smart sides, there are easy ways to boost nutrition without losing flavor. Ready to rethink pizza night? 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/make-pizza-nig… #pizza #pizzatime #veggies #pizzanight #nutritiontips @bellinstitute

🌻 Most discarded flowers are rarely given a second thought, but this research deserves another look. 🌼 A study in ACS Food Science & Technology examined pot marigold flowers and identified extractable proteins with functional properties relevant to food development. The findings point to potential uses in dressings, baked goods, and plant-based formulations. It is a reminder that food innovation is not always about new crops, but about rethinking what we already grow at scale. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/marigold-flowe… #FoodScience #PlantBased #FoodInnovation #SustainableFood #research @ACSPublications @AmerChemSociety

🍼 The FDA says more than 300 infant formula samples were tested, but critics say the biggest questions still haven’t been answered. No brands were identified, key pathogens like Cronobacter weren’t included in testing, and safety standards for contaminants remain unclear. Nutrition and public health expert Dr. Marion Nestle of Food Politics breaks down the FDA testing gaps and growing safety concerns. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/infant-formula… #babyformula #babysafety #foodsafety #PublicHealth #ConsumerAwareness

🥗 Skirt steak meets crunch in this bold, flavor-packed salad! Tender seared steak, crisp veggies, crispy wontons, peanuts, and a savory-sweet miso-ginger dressing bring everything together in one unforgettable bowl. If you’re stuck in a dinner rut, this recipe from @StreetSmartRD breaks you out fast! 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/whats-for-dinn… #dinnerrecipe #skirtsteak #saladrecipe #easymeals #healthymeals

🥔Most people never think about where potato chips come from, but the story starts long before the bag is sealed. Last week we featured our potato chip story. If you missed it, watch now on our YouTube channel! S5E05 & 06: They Grow Potato Chips 👉 youtu.be/BhTUDG-fL5w This two-part story takes you into the fields of northeastern North Carolina, where farmers grow the potatoes that become chips for millions of Americans. From harvest timing and moisture levels to sorting, packing, and feeding a summer demand surge, it’s a fascinating look at the people and process behind one of America’s favorite snacks. #tvseries #potatoes #potatochips #potato #NorthCarolina #tvseries #potatoes #potatochips #potato #NorthCarolina @ThisSpudsForYou @Potatoes_USA @NCAgriculture @NCExtension @BlackGoldFarms @pamlicoshores @NCFFA @NorthCarolina4H @NCFarmBureau @NCFB_YFandR @FarmAid @AITCtweets

🥩 Why are some of the most flavorful cuts of beef also some of the most affordable? @Allrecipes talked with our producer and host Chip Carter, plus a panel of chefs and butchers, about the smartest beef buy right now. Their answer was nearly unanimous: chuck. Curious why chuck topped the list? 👉 allrecipes.com/chefs-butchers… Want to see where truly great meat starts? On @WTFCF_TV, we visited Circle F Farms in Baxley, Georgia, where generations of ranching meet carefully raised beef and pork. From the pasture to the butcher shop Circle F Meats, it’s quality you can see and taste. Watch the full episode here! 👉youtu.be/lM4otIuJnNY #beef #chuckroast #grocery #shoppingtips #flavor allrecipes.com/chefs-butchers…

☀️ When drought spreads across more than half of the United States, the effects reach beyond farms. Current conditions show impacts on crops, livestock, and water supplies in areas including the Southeast, Plains, and Western states. In a recent analysis, Dr. Rachel Cleetus of the @UCSUSA breaks down what the data shows and what it could mean moving forward for agriculture and food systems. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/widespread-rec… #drought #climate #agriculture #ecosystems #FoodSecurity

Revisiting this food science story, it’s an interesting reminder that food processing methods can shape nutrient content in unexpected ways! 🍺 Not all food science stories are groundbreaking, but you can file some under “huh, didn’t expect that.” A new study from @TU_Muenchen found nonalcoholic beer can have similar vitamin B6 levels as regular beer, depending on how it is made. Not exactly a reason to drink beer for nutrition, but it highlights how cooking and processing can impact what nutrients make it to the final product! 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/beyond-the-buz… #foodscience #DidYouKnow #beer #nutritionfacts #nonalcoholicbeer @AmerChemSociety

☕ Your morning coffee may be doing more than waking you up. @UNC_SOM scientists have identified the molecular mechanism that helps humans detect coffee bitterness, offering new insight into how bitter taste receptors function throughout the body. The discovery may eventually support new approaches for medicine and disease research. Read more about the findings and what they could mean for the future of health research! 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/how-coffee-get… #coffee #foodscience #coffeelovers #taste #healthwithayurveda @UNCPharmacy

🐔 Ever wonder why McDonald’s McNuggets arrive frozen, never fresh? It might not be what you expect. Our producer and host Chip Carter recently spoke with @Chowhound about how freezing helps manage food safety, reduce waste, and maintain consistency across a massive global supply chain. Is “fresh” always better, or is frozen doing more work behind the scenes than we realize? 👉 chowhound.com/2165958/mcdona… #mcdonalds #chickennuggets #foodchain

When cancer treatment makes eating difficult, practical nutrition strategies can make a difference. This is worth another look. 🍎 Eating well during cancer treatment is not always easy, but small changes can make a big impact. This @MayoClinic Expert Q&A offers practical diet tips to help manage nausea, appetite changes, taste shifts, and other side effects. Whether you’re caring for someone or navigating treatment yourself, these strategies can help support nutrition during care. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/mayo-clinic-ex… #cancersupport #CancerNutrition #cancerjourney

🥜 This week on @WTFCF_TV, we’re diving into the story of one of America’s most beloved snacks… Virginia Peanuts! S5E09: Peanuts! 👉 youtu.be/8Ot7Exh3K4k There are very few crops in the world where we can point to the exact place they began, but Virginia peanuts are one of them. We take you to the very spot where they were first planted. If you’ve ever enjoyed those plump, crunchy peanuts at a ballpark or out of a can, you’ve tasted a tradition rooted in history. Today they’re grown widely, but still proudly called “Virginia peanuts” wherever they’re produced. You’ll also meet multi-generation farm families who have been growing this crop for decades, carrying on a legacy that runs deep in the region. Watch now on our YouTube channel! 👉 youtu.be/8Ot7Exh3K4k #tvshow #peanuts #Virginia #virginiapeanuts #farming @VaAgriculture @VirginiaDiner @PeanutFarmers @VirginiaFFA @VaFarmBureau

Biodiversity loss is now a direct human health issue. New research from @BristolUni shows that as pollinators decline, families face higher risks of poor nutrition, lower farm income, illness, and deeper cycles of poverty. In the communities studied, pollinators supported 44% of farming income, highlighting how deeply human wellbeing depends on biodiversity. But there is hope in the data. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/biodiversity-l… #pollinators #biodiversity #sustainabilitymatters #farming #savethebees @ucl @BristolBioSci

🚜 New methane-powered tractors from New Holland are now part of agricultural research and education at the @UNLincoln. The tractors, donated by @CNHIndustrial, are designed to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and can convert plant waste and livestock manure into usable fuel through biodigesters. Check it out!👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/new-holland-me… #Agriculture #AgTech #SustainableFarming #CleanEnergy #Nebraska @NebENREEC

🧪🟡 Missed this story? Here’s what stood out. Tartrazine (Yellow 5), found in everything from snacks to condiments, may impact the gut microbiome during early life, according to new research, even within current safety limits. Take a closer look at the findings and why scientists are paying attention. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/common-food-dy… #foodcoloring #foodscience #healthnews #FoodNews #nutrition @APSPhysiology

🌼 Most discarded flowers rarely get a second thought, but new research suggests they may belong in our food system rather than the compost bin. A study in ACS Food Science & Technology examined pot marigold flowers and found extractable proteins with functional properties useful for food development. The findings point to potential uses in dressings, baked goods, and plant-based formulations. It is a reminder that food innovation is not always about new crops, but about rethinking what we already grow at scale. 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/marigold-flowe… #FoodScience #PlantBased #FoodInnovation #SustainableFood #research @ACSPublications @AmerChemSociety

💧 What if monitoring farm water quality didn’t depend on difficult field access or delayed lab results? A team of @IowaStateU researchers have developed a drone-based system that can fly directly to remote agricultural drainage sites and measure nitrate levels on location in minutes. Instead of collecting samples and waiting on lab analysis, the system enables real-time sensing in the field. See how the system works and what it could change for agriculture and water safety! 👉 wherethefoodcomesfrom.com/iowa-state-res… #WaterScience #AgInnovation #PrecisionFarming #Sustainability #EnvironmentalMonitoring @ISU_ME