Santa Cruz County Local Agriculture, Food & Gardening News Articles and Digest

Agriculture, Food & Gardening Housing Government

Thousands of Migrant Farmworker Apartments Sit Vacant for Months

12/07/2023
Even though California is facing a crippling housing shortage, one potential source remains untapped. The state allows thousands of apartments used for part of the year by farmworkers to otherwise sit vacant for three to six months.

From Good Times...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

A New Aroma

12/05/2023
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Opened nine months ago, Aroma Restaurant aspires to be the upscale spot in the San Lorenzo Valley to celebrate special occasions. General manager Allan DeJesus says the food is high-end yet approachable, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening History

Remembering the White Cockade Scottish Pub: Recipes, Photos, and Recollections

12/04/2023
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In days past, anyone traveling along Upper Highway 9 in Boulder Creek might spot the White Cockade Scottish Pub biding beside the roadway with its front door emblazoned with the flag of Scotland.

From Inside Climate News...

Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

Monterey Farmers Try Novel Approach to Replenish Groundwater

11/29/2023
Water managers in Pajaro Valley are paying farmers for water they get back into the ground. The move comes as California has grappled with water shortages in recent years.

From Edible Monterey Bay...

Families & Children Agriculture, Food & Gardening Community Service & Support

Big Breakthrough for Food Access in Monterey County

11/28/2023
The Double Up Food Bucks program—with its proven ability to connect food-insecure families and individuals to more fresh produce—officially debuted in Monterey County.

From Edible Monterey Bay...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Café Mare Changes Hands

11/28/2023
Chef Jean Pierre Iuliano—who helmed Café Mare in Santa Cruz for nearly 22 years—served his last meal Nov. 26. But don’t despair. Café Mare will reopen Dec. 1 under new ownership by Marco Paoletti and Andrea Loporcaro, who both worked there in the early days.

From Edible Monterey Bay...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

New Tacos Al Fuego Impresses

11/27/2023
Watsonville has a winner in new Tacos Al Fuego, and it’s not surprising that the family-owned addition to the Hangar food complex proves excellent.

From Edible Monterey Bay...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Lady & Larder Brings Twins’ Love of Cheese Back Home

11/21/2023
This whole Lady & Larder thing is a lot to digest. That becomes clear within 30 seconds of talking with the twin sisters behind it, Sarah and Boo Simms, who have returned to the Carmel Valley to relaunch the business.

From SFGate...

Business, Economy & Jobs Agriculture, Food & Gardening

One of Largest Cannabis Distribution Companies in State Goes Up in Smoke

11/20/2023
HERBL, one of California’s biggest cannabis companies, collapsed earlier this year. The company, which sold $700 million of cannabis last year, reportedly shorted the state $17 million in taxes.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Environment Health Agriculture, Food & Gardening Community Service & Support Government

Hunger and Food Insecurity in California: What It Is, What to Do About It

11/17/2023
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Almost 1 of every 4 people in the world’s fifth-largest economy has trouble getting enough nutritious food to eat.

From Good Times...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Third Time’s the Charm

11/15/2023
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Craft beer might be trending down nationally, but here in Santa Cruz, businesses continue to bet on beer enthusiasts. Leslie Buchanan, co-owner of new taproom Balefire Brewing Co., is willing to take her chances.

From Good Times...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Way Away Flaves

11/14/2023
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Hank Kim, owner of Far East + Kitchen in Scotts Valley, moved here in 2003 to put his heart and soul into a restaurant.

From YubaNet...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening Sustainability Crime & Justice

Groups Urge Court to Strike Down Decision Greenlighting Ocean Fish Farming

11/13/2023
Center for Food Safety has filed arguments seeking to revoke the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of nationwide permit 56, which authorizes industrial finfish aquaculture structures in ocean waters around the country. CFS represents a coalition of conservation, tribal, and fishing organizations.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

Farmworkers in Stanislaus County Win Union Vote Under New Law

11/10/2023
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Image for display with article titled Farmworkers in Stanislaus County Win Union Vote, First Under New Law Making it Easier to Unionize

The law, which took effect in May, lets workers cast votes by signing union cards.

From ProPublica...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening

A California Ranch Gets Nearly as Much Water as the Arizona City of Scottsdale

11/09/2023
The Elmore Desert Ranch gets 22.5 billion gallons of water from the Colorado River, almost as much as is cleared for Scottsdale, Ariz. And that’s just a fraction of the 386.5 billion gallons from the river going to 19 other families in Imperial Valley.

From Edible Monterey Bay...

Business, Economy & Jobs Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Cheech and Chong Debut a Vodka With Santa Cruz Soul

11/07/2023
The vodka—shaped like a water pipe and inspired in part by the movie “Up in Smoke”—is being made in partnership with Scotts Valley spirits house UBlendIt.

From YubaNet...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

UC Irvine-Led Science Team Shows How to Eat Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis

11/06/2023
In a study published in Nature Sustainability, scientists assessed the potential for wide-scale synthetic production of dietary fats. The raw materials are the same as those used by plants: hydrogen in water and carbon dioxide in the air.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Health Agriculture, Food & Gardening State of California

Students Protest Pesticide Proposal in Watsonville

11/01/2023
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Youth activists from Safe Ag Safe Schools’ Future Leaders of Change attended a California Department of Pesticide Regulation meeting in Watsonville.

From Edible Monterey Bay...

Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Gali Debuts First Wines Made by Former Ridge Winemaker

11/01/2023
Janice and Joseph Gali of Gali Vineyards in Watsonville still have fruit hanging. There’s good news and bad news, as with anyone trying to ripen coastal syrah this season.

From San Joaquin Valley Sun...

Business, Economy & Jobs Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Australian Wine Conglomerate Spends $900 Million for Daou Vineyards

11/01/2023
The acquisition includes the Daou brand, Daou Mountain Estate, four luxury wineries, and around 400 acres of vineyards in Adelaida District of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Agriculture, Food & Gardening