Our Changing Menu - Ingredient Database

(Under Ongoing Development)

Apple

US (East Coast; Pacific Northwest)

Apples in recent years have been wiped out in parts of the US by false springs.[1] Hail damage, which can render a crop unmarketable is expected to increase in some regions of the US in coming decades. [2] Further, hotter temperatures causes sunburn on the fruit’s skin, which reduces the quality, and thus the economic value of the crop.[3]

References:

[1] David W. Wolfe et al., “Unique Challenges and Opportunities for Northeastern US Crop Production in a Changing Climate," https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-017-2109-7.
[2] Julian C. Brimelow, William R. Burrows, and John M. Hanesiak, “The Changing Hail Threat over North America in Response to Anthropogenic Climate Change,” Nature Climate Change 7, no. 7 (July 2017): https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3321.
[3] Severson, K. (2019, May 1). From Apples to Popcorn, Climate Change Is Altering the Foods America Grows. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/dining/farming-climate-change.html.

Our foods and food ingredients: They're all changing.

Yields of major staple crops like wheat and rice are being hurt by increasing temperatures. Wine grape production is moving to cooler climes causing changes in the character of some of our favorites. The flavors and health benefits of teas, the size of potatoes, the sting of a hot pepper, where fish call home in the oceans, and a future decline in protein in vegetables—it’s all changing.

Our food database shows the ingredients affected by a changing climate.

To learn what farmers, scientists, and many others are doing to keep the menu stocked, see Stewardship of the Land and Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need. You have a role, too!

Using our database:

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Construction in progress...

This food ingredient database is in its early phase and we will strive to expand it on an ongoing basis so that everyone is aware of how climate change is affecting the foods we love and need.