Key Facts Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the few crop species that originated in North America Native Americans domesticated the crop around 1000 BC 85% of the North American sunflower seed is still produced in North and South Dakota and Minnesota. Sunflowers grow best in locations with full sun. They are remarkably tough and Read more
Key Facts Fresh-cut sweet corn kernels are extremely perishable, with very high respiration rates, making proper temperature control critical. While there are concerns regarding various mycotoxins in field corn fed to animals, there is minimal risk associated with mycotoxins in sweet corn consumed by humans. According to the FDA, minimal traces of, fumonisins (a type Read more
Key Facts Chard is referred to as Swiss chard, which is a close relative of the beet and is grown for its leaves and stems as opposed to the edible root. Swiss chard is a popular choice by consumers. The leafy green is known for its bright colored stems of red, yellow, pink, and purple. Read more
Key Facts Tofu, a food product made from soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr), is a dietary staple in Chinese and Japanese cuisines. A high-quality source of calcium, isoflavones, and plant-based protein, tofu is produced by curdling soymilk with a calcium or magnesium salt. It can be consumed without further cooking. Tofu is widely available in Read more
Key Facts Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, along with squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, cantaloupes, and other melons This annual fruit crop has a smooth green rind; the flesh is most commonly red but may be yellow or orange Watermelon can be seeded or seedless, hybrid or open-pollinated Watermelon has been Read more
Key Facts Winemaking has been practiced for over 5,000 years, although some researchers have evidence to suggest it could have begun as early as 9,000 B.C. The Food and Drug Administration consider wine a “low-risk” food product for causing adverse outcomes or death in consumers. California produces 95% of the wine exported from the U.S. Read more
Key Facts Yogurt is made from milk cultured with live bacteria. Yogurt is consumed in a variety of ways, including Greek yogurt, drinkable yogurt, and frozen yogurt. Between 1998 and 2018, at least 11 yogurt-associated outbreaks were reported to CDC’s National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS), causing 130 illnesses, 11 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The use Read more