Members of our Advisory Council are matching every donation dollar-for-dollar through midnight tomorrow, December 31st — but only up to $60,000 total. Double your impact for a more just and sustainable food system: https://food.berkeley.edu/about-us/support-us-2/

The UC-MX Farm Labor Research Cluster has united researchers, advocates, and organizations to discuss farm labor in California and Mexico. Workshops have explored topics like Agricultural Production, Health & Community, and Law & Migration. Read more in our latest blog: https://ow.ly/OlzC50XGrQL

Join Dr. Rebecca Ryals and Virginia Jameson for a Lunch & Learn Webinar tomorrow from 12 - 1pm. Explore how agriculture can address climate change, with research and real-world applications. Moderated by Neha Sanghera, BFI Policy Director. Don't wait, register at: https://ow.ly/XwCS50XuRvN

In early November, the California Organic, Agroecological, and Regenerative Transitions (COAR) project team gathered at UC Merced to reflect and set goals for the new year. Read on about the collaborative efforts at https://food.berkeley.edu/from-the-field/policy-informed-research-to-advance-coar/

Congrats to BFI Alum and Founder of Re:wild Your Campus, Mackenzie Feldman, for being recognized by Forbes’ Social Impact 30 Under 30 🎊 She has raised over $1.7 million to eliminate toxic herbicides on campuses across the country. Read more at https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2026/social-impact

Join Dr. Rebecca Ryals and Virginia Jameson for a Lunch & Learn Webinar on Thurs. 12/11 from 12 - 1pm. Explore how agriculture can address climate change, with research and real-world applications. Moderated by Neha Sanghera, BFI Policy Director. Learn more and register at: https://ow.ly/XwCS50XuRvN

Thank you for supporting Berkeley Food Institute on #GivingTuesday 🍎 Your gift to BFI grows fresh produce for those facing food insecurity, trains the next food systems leaders, and turns research into policy change. For more info on giving, visit https://food.berkeley.edu/about-us/support-us-2/#GivingTuesday

Your gift grows food for those facing insecurity, trains future food systems leaders through innovative programs, and translates UCB research into real policy change where it matters most. Support us at https://food.berkeley.edu/about-us/support-us-2/, every gift counts. #Giving Tuesday

Join Dr. Rebecca Ryals and Virginia Jameson for a Lunch & Learn Webinar on Thurs. 12/11 from 12 - 1pm. Explore how agriculture can address climate change, with research and real-world applications. Moderated by Neha Sanghera, BFI Policy Director. Learn more and register at: https://ow.ly/XwCS50XuRvN

CA has allocated approx. $100 million in the Farm to School Grant Program since 2020. Join us on Mon. Nov. 17 at 12pm for a webinar where an independent research team will share their evaluation results and discuss policy recommendations for the Farm to School Program. https://ow.ly/sTGw50XjmWV

UC Agriculture & Natural Resources Innovate has been awarded $15.1 million to establish California’s first coordinated agricultural technology network. Read the full article about agtech and food system investments at https://ucanr.edu/blog/anr-news-releases/article/ucanr-innovate

CA has allocated approx. $100 million in the Farm to School Grant Program since 2020. Join us on Mon. Nov. 17 at 12pm for a webinar where an independent research team will share their evaluation results and discuss policy recommendations for the Farm to School Program. https://ow.ly/sTGw50XjmWV

Our latest Lunch & Learn Webinar recordings are now available on the Berkeley Food Institute YouTube Channel. Gain insight into California Policy on Ultra-Processed Foods and Antitrust Law in the Food System by visiting https://www.youtube.com/@berkeleyfoodinstitute2934

CA has allocated approx. $100 million in the Farm to School Grant Program since 2020. Join us on Mon. Nov. 17 at 12pm for a webinar where an independent research team will share their evaluation results and discuss policy recommendations for the Farm to School Program. https://ow.ly/sTGw50XjmWV

In a recent publication for The New York Times, BFI Faculty Director Tim Bowles’ responds to Michael Grunwald's essay on Roundup. Bowles calls for a food system that nourishes people through agroecology. Read more https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/opinion/roundup-glyphosate-pesticide.html

Isabel Madzorera is an Assistant Prof. in Food, Nutrition, and Population Health at UC Berkeley and Associate Faculty Director at BFI. Learn about Dr. Madzorera's journey into food systems research at https://food.berkeley.edu/from-the-field/interview-bfi-faculty-director-brings-global-expertise/

Join Jessie Gouck and Dr. Laura Schmidt on Oct. 27 at 12p PT to discuss AB 1264, its implementation and research on UPFs. This event builds on our Spring 2025 webinar. Moderated by Dr. Isabel Madzorera. Register today: https://berkeley.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrd3KA9WRtafAMynqGQHIA#/registration

The Berkeley Food Institute is seeking a passionate, experienced food systems professional for our Communications Program Manager position. Qualified candidates are eager to learn BFI achievements, mission, and vision. Apply by Friday, Nov 14th by visiting https://food.berkeley.edu/about-us/careers/

A new report, by researchers at UC Berkeley, UC ANR, BFI and FIG, calls on state policymakers to secure the future of the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. Read the recommendations for the next steps on addressing systemic challenges and more at food.berkeley.edu/bfi-news/str...

Join Jessie Gouck and Dr. Laura Schmidt on Oct. 27 at 12p PT to discuss AB 1264, its implementation and research on UPFs. This event builds on our Spring 2025 webinar. Moderated by Dr. Isabel Madzorera. Register today: https://berkeley.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrd3KA9WRtafAMynqGQHIA#/registration

Check out our lessons learned from BFI’s Graduate Certificate in Food Systems plus our new Food Systems Mentorship Project. Click here for the new report: food.berkeley.edu/from-the-fie...

From pesticides to groundwater contamination, the ways we make our food can damage the environment, surrounding communities and human health. Tim Bowles is thinking about how to create more sustainable and ecological agricultural methods. Watch him explain the study of agroecology: bit.ly/3KP35ms

Agroecology will help build a future food system that supports biodiversity, a healthy climate and rural communities. UC Berkeley soil researcher Tim Bowles shows what an agroecological future looks like in this 1 min video. Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/R7TZnq8rL1U #agroecology #foodsystems

New Report from BFI and our partners finds: California Farm to School Program Exceeds Climate and Market Access Goals, Reaches Vast Majority of Counties. Click here to learn more: californiafarmtoschooleval.org/reports/2025...

Recently, grad students gathered at Oxford Tract, UC Berkeley’s urban farm and research site. Students learned how our Graduate Certificate in Food Systems can enhance their academic experience, advancing a future career. Thanks to @FIGC and Food@Haas. Learn more: food.berkeley.edu/for-students...

Join us on 9/25, 4-6 pm at Oxford Tract for our Community Showcase. Connect with UC Berkeley's food and farm system community and learn about campus engagement opportunities. Click here to register: mailchi.mp/berkeley/sho...

BFI’s Tim Bowles explains #agroecology in 101 seconds for the latest UCB News Challenge. Agroecology is the combination of ecological science and farmer wisdom. Check out 101 in 101 on Agroecology: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMOb...

Join Christopher Leslie & Berkeley Law Senior Fellow Doha Mekki for a conversation on market competition in food systems. Register for our Lunch & Learn webinar on 9/25 from 12-1pm PST: Antitrust Law & Food Systems: berkeley.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

BFI affiliate faculty member Hannah R. Thompson found that LGBTQ+ adults in the US have higher odds of food insecurity. Read on: doi.org/10.1016/j.yp...

In our newest blog, ab banks, BFI agroecology director, reflects on the practice of urban agroecology in helping to build a just and sustainable food and farm system. Read the blog here: food.berkeley.edu/from-the-fie... #agroecology #foodjustice

Join BFI at our Community Showcase at Oxford Tract on Thurs. 9/25, 4-6pm. Connect with and learn about Berkeley's food and farm system. This event is open to UC Berkeley students, faculty, staff, BFI community partners, supporters and alumni. Register to attend: mailchi.mp/berkeley/sho...

New research from BFI affiliate faculty member, Lorrene Ritchie, finds that in states that continued universal free school meals programs (CA, MA & others) overall student nutrition improved and families avoided school meal related debt. Learn more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

As part of our Summer Agroecology Field Quarter this cohort of students visited farms and UC research stations, gaining hands-on experience in organic agriculture. Last week, they explored urban agroecology at Oxford Tract.

Grant opportunity for youth-led climate action groups. Lever for Change has extended their registration deadline for their Emerging Climate Champions Award to 8/29 at 5pm ET. Applications are still due 9/22, but you must register to apply: climate.leverforchange.org/submit

New UC study finds universal school meals combat hunger. ucanr.edu/program/nutr...

Connect with your Bay Area neighbors and to the land during farm workdays at the Oxford Tract, every Sat. through 8/16 from 11a – 2pm. No prior experience needed, only a willingness to get your hands on the land. When you arrive, ask for the farm lead who’ll provide volunteer instructions.

Southwest center has helped farmers purchase cold storage for vegetables, Tracy Celio @ucanr.edu said. The hub helped one producer lease a vehicle to take produce to market. Another purchased a grain mill and was able to deliver product to a nearby school, reports @aallyahpatrice.bsky.social

Dr. Tim Bowles from Berkeley Food Institute and other food systems experts address the myths and harms of the industrial ag sector, while also showing the solution – agroecological practices that build resilient food and farm systems. Learn more: foodprint.org/blog/a-new-b...

BFI cultivates the next generation of food and farm system leaders. Recent policy assistant, Sarah Sarfaty Epstein's career and research path will be supported with a 2025 Switzer Environmental Fellowship. Congratulations to Sarah – one of two @natureatcal.bsky.social students to be awarded.

Berkeley Talks podcast #229 explores ultra-processed foods (UPF) with Laura Schmidt, UCSF professor. Learn about the connection between Big Tobacco and the rise of UPFs in our diets. This podcast is drawn from the Berkeley Food Institute’s webinar on UPFs. ow.ly/B98550WhGwx #PublicHealth

You know it. You know the story. 🥇 UC Berkeley is ranked the top public university in the nation according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best global universities. Way to go, Bears. It’s all because of you! 💙🐻💛

Are you a UC Berkeley student passionate about creating a just and sustainable farm & food system? Join the BFI team. Now accepting applications for three positions ranging from policy to campus agroecology. Applications are due Fri. 7/18 at 5pm PST. Visit bit.ly/BFI-jobs for full details.

Check out this excellent @grist.org story featuring DSE's @sampottinger.com! Sam discusses our team's latest #OpenSource tool & research on opportunities and challenges for US corn #farmers and insurance companies: grist.org/food-and-agr... #AgPolicy #FoodSecurity

LISTEN: ESPM professor Timothy Bowles and journalist Michael Grunwald discuss the impact of our current agricultural methods and debate the ways we can ramp up food production without causing more harm to the environment.