faculty of land and food systems

Natural biodiversity protects rural farmers’ incomes from tropical weather shocks

A big data study covering more than 7,500 households across 23 tropical countries shows that natural biodiversity could be effective insurance for rural farmers against drought and other weather-related shocks.

Jun 27, 2019

Good mousekeeping: en suite bathroom makes for happier mice

Mice have a strong preference to nest away from their own waste and should be housed in a system of cages that allows them to create a toileting area, according to work led by researchers at the University of British Columbia.

Apr 23, 2019

To better understand the changes that occur during baking, researchers at UBC measured how much of a recipe’s sugar is lost when cakes are browned. Credit: Marco Verch/Flickr

Sugar loss during baking means calorie counts could be off

When you’re on a diet, counting calories usually means paying close attention to labels. But you might be surprised to learn that labels often provide the nutritional information of the recipe – not the final product. What goes in and what comes out during food processing aren’t necessarily the same.

May 31, 2018

Dairy farmers should rethink a cow’s curfew, says UBC researchers

Dairy cows housed indoors want to break curfew and roam free, suggests new UBC research.

Mar 23, 2017

Science for sweet tooths

Food scientists at UBC have developed a faster and cheaper way to quantify antioxidant levels in chocolate.

Nov 29, 2016

Montreal households the greenest in Canada: UBC study

Montreal households are the greenest in the country, and Edmonton’s the least, according to a new UBC study.

Jul 27, 2016

Culture club: Not all probiotics created equal

UBC’s Siyun Wang, assistant professor in the faculty of land and food systems, explains what these helpful little organisms are—and how to get them working for you.

Apr 5, 2016

UBC dietitian on the possibilities and pitfalls of meal replacements

Kara Vogt, registered dietitian and clinical instructor in the faculty of land and food systems, helps explain meal replacements.

Mar 16, 2016

Hitting the sweet spot

For some people, their morning coffee or tea just isn’t complete without a few sugar cubes, a packet of artificial sweetener or spoonful of honey. But which choice really hits the sweet spot for your health?

Feb 29, 2016

UBC Farm receives $2M from founders of Nature’s Path Foods

One of the last working farms near the city of Vancouver has received a $2 million donation from the co-founders of Nature’s Path Foods.

Sep 17, 2015

Organically speaking

In almost every grocery store you’ll find two apples sold for very different prices. One’s organic, one’s not. What makes a product truly organic? And is it really worth paying extra for?

Aug 18, 2015

Students dig deep into soil science with mobile game

Armed with iPhones, dozens of first and second-year students walk into the forest at UBC. The students are on a scientific quest to better understand the ground beneath them; learning about soil by playing a mobile game.

Aug 11, 2015

Hot, dry weather spells trouble for sockeye salmon

As UBC biologist Tony Farrell explains, this year’s lack of snow melt coupled with record-high water temperatures mean sockeye salmon heading to the Fraser River to spawn might not make it at all.

Aug 4, 2015

Fish farm project helps Cambodian women care for families, learn business skills

An international food security project that helps low-income women farmers in Cambodia farm fish and garden at home will now help them become entrepreneurs, thanks to more than $1M in funding to UBC from CIFSRF.

May 28, 2015

Time for an oil change?

Gail Hammond, a dietitian and food, nutrition and health lecturer in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, discusses the coconut oil craze and why mixing it up in the kitchen can be a good thing.

Mar 9, 2015

Antibiotic-resistant E. coli detected on Vancouver farmers’ market produce

UBC researchers have detected antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria on lettuce from several Vancouver farmers’ markets.

Feb 4, 2015

Heart problems triggered by climate change could devastate Chinook salmon stocks

Chinook salmon can acclimate to a warmer environment with subtle changes to cardiac functions, but only up to a point.

Dec 22, 2014

Guilt-free holiday eating

A UBC dietitian offers tips and recipe ideas for having a jolly—and healthy—holiday season.

Dec 10, 2014

Elevated toxic metals at community garden site raise concerns: UBC research

Elevated levels of toxic metals at a Vancouver community garden site raise questions about the city’s approach to promoting urban agriculture, say UBC researchers.

Dec 2, 2014

One drop will do: UBC researchers develop a simple test for vitamin B12 deficiency

Researchers have developed a novel method to test for vitamin B12 deficiency using only a single drop of blood.

Oct 27, 2014