WILD BLUEBERRIES: MORE THAN TASTE  . . . ACORN: GROW A FARMER
CANOLA IN THE MARITIMES  . . . MORE WOMEN RESEARCHERS NEEDED “TO DELIVER FOOD SECURITY” . . . OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK . . . 
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

WILD BLUEBERRIES: MORE THAN TASTE
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Drinking wild blueberry juice could significantly improve cognitive ability in children, a new study suggests. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Reading in England, examined 21 children between the ages of seven and 10. They were given either a large dose of wild blueberry juice, a small dose, or a placebo. Claire Williams, a professor with the university’s psychology department, organized the study. “Wild blueberries are rich in flavonoids – compounds found naturally in foods such as fruits and their juices, vegetables and tea. They have been associated with a range of health benefits, including antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects,” Williams said in a news release. (read more)

ACORN: GROW A FARMER
Source: ACORN
Almost one week away! Calling all farmer innovators, web-developers, engineers, and those interested in contributing the future sustainability and resilience of local food systems! Register Now! ACORN: Grow A Farmer presents: October 26 – FARMHACK: Tools and Innovations for the Small-Scale Farm, Truro, N.S.
www.growafarmer.ca

CANOLA IN THE MARITIMES
Source: FCC
Canola acreage has shrunk in the Maritime provinces in recent years, but research projects on every aspect of crop production aims to change that. In Nova Scotia, there has been no canola grown commercially for several seasons. In Prince Edward Island, acreage has dropped from 1,106 in 2013 to less than 700 in 2015. In New Brunswick there were 10,000 acres of canola fields in 2011. This year, it’s about 2,000. (read more)

MORE WOMEN RESEARCHERS NEEDED “TO DELIVER FOOD SECURITY”
Source: BBC
Policy and business leaders have used a major food conference to highlight the need for more women in the global agriculture sector. One of the speakers, Chelsea Clinton, told delegates that women were a “crucial, vital, and necessary” part of delivering global food security. Data shows that progress has been made in recent years, but there is still a long way to go to close the gender gap. The call for equality was made at the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue in the U.S. (read more)

OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK
Source: The Western Producer
While the risk to Canadians is low, the Public Health Agency of Canada is searching for the source of a salmonella outbreak. The federal agency said there are 34 cases of salmonella illness in eight provinces. The individuals became sick between June 12 and Sept. 20. Eight people have been hospitalized and all are recovering or recovered. No one has died. The source of infection has not been identified, but officials are still investigating. (read more)