Robots gear up to march to the fields and harvest cauliflowers

Prototype technology could help alleviate growing shortage of human crop pickers

The job of harvesting cauliflowers could one day be in the mechanical hands of robots thanks to a collaboration between scientists and the French canned vegetable producer Bonduelle.

Fieldwork Robotics, the team behind the world’s first raspberry-picking robot, is designing a machine in a three-year collaboration launched on Monday.

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Tempura herbs and hasselback beetroot: eight flavour-packed new veg recipes from Yotam Ottolenghi

After decades of messing about with vegetables, I’m still finding fresh ways to unleash their powers, revealed in this extract from my new book, Ottolenghi Flavour

I have never been shy about my love of vegetables. I have been singing the praises of cauliflowers, tomatoes, lemons and the mighty aubergine for years. But while it’s my mission to present vegetables in new and exciting ways, I must confess to a niggling doubt: how many more ways are there to roast a cauliflower, slice a tomato, squeeze a lemon or fry an aubergine?

The answer, I’m delighted to report, is many, and in my latest foray, I have been joined by my brilliant colleague and co-writer Ixta Belfrage. Our journey of discovery into the world of vegetables has focused on understanding what makes each one distinct, so they can be tasted afresh. It’s about creating flavour bombs, and it’s done in these three ways.

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To eat or not to eat: 10 of the world’s most controversial foods

From beef to cod to avocados to soya, many of our best-loved foods raise big ethical and environmental questions. What do the experts say?

Deforestation. Child labour. Pollution. Water shortages. The more we learn about the side-effects of food production, the more the act of feeding ourselves becomes fraught with anxiety. How can we be sure that certain foods are “good” or “bad” for society and the planet? As Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University of London and the co-author of Sustainable Diets, puts it: “When you come to ‘judge’ food, you end up with an enormous list of variables, from taste to health outcomes to biodiversity.” Here are some of today’s most controversial products – and some thoughts that may help you when shopping.

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Matthew Canavan emulates Tony Abbott with raw onion munch

National party politicians struggle to get attention during election campaigns, but Canavan reckons eating an onion with the skin on might take off

It’s enough to bring tears to voters’ eyes.

Four years after Tony Abbott munched on a raw onion, resources minister Matthew Canavan has followed suit.

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CIFI succeeds with focus on healthy eating trends

While North Carolina leads the nation in sweet potato cultivation, the crop has been something of an unsung hero in the state's agribusiness community. That perception is changing thanks in part to a Nash County company now promoting food and beverage ingredients that align with today's healthier, nutrient-rich diets.

Some farmers worry Trump’s bailout checks won’t be enough

Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.

Farmers worry bailout won’t be enough Updated at

Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.

As aid checks go out, farmers worry bailout won’t be enough

Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.

USDA Announces $102.7 Million Investment To Expand Markets For Specialty Crop

USDA ANNOUNCES $102.7 MILLION INVESTMENT TO EXPAND MARKETS FOR SPECIALTY CROP Sep. 19, 2018 Source: USDA news release Under Secretary Greg Ibach today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $102.7 million to increase opportunities for farmers, ranchers and other growers across the country through five grant programs. The funding supports a variety of locally-led projects intended to expand markets for local food promotion and specialty crops.

Pressure on small farmers – New rules facing Jamaican exporters force more farming scrutiny

Farmers who supply crops to local exporters can expect a greater level of scrutiny due to the implementation of more stringent regulations by foreign governments aimed at protecting their consumers. With the introduction of the Food Safety Modernisation Act by the Barack Obama administration in 2011 and the establishment of a regional office by the US Food and Drug Administration , local manufacturers say that they are increasingly being required to provide more technical details about their products.

USDA Announces Financial Support For Specialty Crop Industry

USDA ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SPECIALTY CROP INDUSTRY May 1, 2018 Source: USDA news release The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the funding of $7 million to support 11 projects in six states to develop solutions to challenges affecting the specialty crop industries that cross state boundaries. The awards are managed through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service .

Healthy people waste the most food, study finds

A new study revealed that Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, and those with higher quality diets are the worst offenders. The research, released by the USDA, University of Vermont, and University of New Hampshire, found that between 2007 and 2014, U.S. consumers wasted nearly 150,000 tons of food per day, which equals roughly 30 percent of the average daily calories consumed by all Americans combined.

Food | Chef Walter’s Flavors + Knowledge: Stuffed Rabbit With Peas

When rabbit meat is on the menu, expect controversy to follow. It is socially acceptable to use farm animals, such as cows and chickens, as food; however, many people balk at the idea of eating rabbit, according to several publications.