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AdventHealth Apopka
Central Florida partners unite to ensure children stay fed through the holiday break
With school cafeterias closing for winter break, Central Florida organizations are stepping in to make sure children who depend on free and reduced lunches still have access to nutritious meals. Through grants, food drives, and community outreach, partners are working to prevent hunger for families across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. more
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Jersey Mike’s Subs to open new Apopka location with community fundraiser
Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening a new location at 1637 Rock Springs Road in Apopka on December 3, led by franchise owners Julio Cayo, Joseph Fischer, and Eli Johnson. The grand opening includes a five-day fundraiser where customers with a special coupon can donate to the Children’s Tumor Foundation in exchange for a regular sub. more
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Turning to robots will boost agricultural production, a UF researcher says.
Robotics, AI, the answer to dwindling labor population, UF researcher says
Artificial intelligence and robotics could increase agricultural production by 35% by 2030, University of Florida researcher Nathan Boyd told state lawmakers. With labor shortages worsening and technology rapidly advancing, Florida is positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation. more
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When Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés arrived on September 8, 1565, he waded ashore to the sound of trumpets and artillery, kissed a cross held by Father Francisco Lopez, and claimed Florida for Spain. That same day, Father Lopez held a Catholic mass of thanksgiving—an act of gratitude marking the colonists’ safe arrival—before Menéndez invited members of the local Timucua tribe to join them for a communal meal.
Florida’s forgotten feasts: The many contenders for America’s first Thanksgiving
More than half a century before Plymouth’s famous 1621 harvest celebration, Spanish colonists in St. Augustine held a thanksgiving mass and communal meal with the Timucua people. But as historians point out, several 16th-century ceremonies—Spanish, French, and beyond—preceded the Pilgrims without evolving into the modern holiday tradition. more
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Waterfowl – not turkey – would have been the main course. Winslow Homer, 'Right and Left' (1909).
What the first Thanksgiving really looked like — and why it didn’t resemble today’s feast
Most Americans would barely recognize the meal served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Based on the only surviving eyewitness letter and Wampanoag oral histories, the feast centered on waterfowl, venison, corn-based dishes, and seafood — with none of today’s iconic sides or desserts. Waterfowl – not turkey – would have been the main course. Winslow Homer, 'Right and Left' (1909), National … more
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In the 19th century, a campaign sought to link the Thanksgiving holiday to the Pilgrims.
The first Thanksgiving is a key chapter in America’s origin story – but what happened in Virginia four months later mattered much more
While Americans celebrate the Pilgrims’ 1621 feast as a symbol of cooperation, events that unfolded months later in Virginia reveal a far more consequential origin story. The 1622 Powhatan uprising and the brutal English retaliation better reflect the dynamics that defined early colonial America. more
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Thanksgiving leftovers can be risky without proper planning, UF expert warns
A Thanksgiving meal doesn’t end when the dishes are cleared — and neither do the food safety risks. UF food safety expert Keith Schneider explains how a few simple precautions can prevent holiday leftovers from becoming health hazards. more
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Undercooked turkey is a leading cause of foodborne illness on Thanksgiving.
Don’t let food poisoning crash your Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving brings people together around great food, but it also creates ideal conditions for foodborne illness if safety is overlooked. With a few simple precautions, families can avoid unwelcome microbes and keep their holiday gatherings healthy. more
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Wekiva High School
Wekiva High Culinary wins Rachael Ray Foundation grant to launch student-run mobile ice cream business
Wekiva High School’s Magnet Academy of Culinary Arts has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to expand its culinary and restaurant management program. The funding will be used to launch a student-run mobile ice cream business, giving students real-world experience in entrepreneurship and food service. more
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Breakthrough with first successful harvest of disease-resistant grapes shows hope for a Florida wine renaissance
University of Florida researchers have harvested the state’s first successful crop of Pierce’s disease–resistant wine grapes, opening the door to a potential large-scale Florida wine industry. The breakthrough, supported by a collaboration with Château Le Coeur, produced the state’s first bottles of wine made primarily from Florida-grown, disease-resistant hybrid grapes. more
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Some 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table.
Who gets SNAP benefits to buy groceries and what the government pays for the program – in 5 charts
The federal government’s sudden halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding on Nov. 1, 2025, has disrupted a vital safety net that helps tens of millions of low-income Americans buy food each month. As courts order the release of November’s $8 billion in benefits, experts warn that the modest payments many recipients rely on are already stretched thin by rising costs of living and persistent poverty. more
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Goodwill rounds up for hunger relief with November donations to Second Harvest Food Bank
Throughout November, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida is inviting shoppers to “round up” their purchases to help feed local families. All proceeds will go directly to Second Harvest Food Bank, with Goodwill matching community donations dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000. more
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Orange County, local nonprofits unite to fight hunger after SNAP benefit suspension
Orange County is partnering with local nonprofits to address the sudden suspension of federal SNAP benefits, which leaves thousands of residents without vital food aid. The county plans to seek state assistance, reallocate local funds, and rally donations to keep families fed during the shutdown. more
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A shopper who receives SNAP benefits slides an EBT card at a checkout counter in a Washington, D.C., grocery store in December 2024.
Florida SNAP benefits on pace to run out in two weeks if shutdown persists
Thousands of Floridians could lose access to food assistance if the federal government shutdown continues. Officials warn that funding for SNAP benefits may run out within two weeks. States have already been told to pause November benefit processing, heightening fears of widespread food insecurity. more
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Avocado fruit showing characteristic avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) symptoms. The fruit displays a distinct longitudinal yellow streak with sharply demarcated margins, typical of sunblotch infection. Symptoms can vary but often include irregular yellow or whitish streaks, discoloration, and deformed fruit.
Florida avocados face threat from Sunblotch Viroid
Florida’s avocado industry faces a renewed threat from avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd), a disease that can stunt trees, deform fruit, and silently spread through groves. UF/IFAS researchers are urging growers, nurseries, and homeowners to remain vigilant, test trees, and follow strict sanitation practices to protect the state’s prized avocado crops. more
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Orange County kicks off annual Peanut Butter Challenge to fight hunger
The Peanut Butter Challenge returns to Orange County, aiming to top last year’s record of nearly 4,000 jars collected for local food pantries. Donations not only help neighbors in need but also highlight Florida’s peanut industry, proving that a small jar can make a big difference. more
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Florida's Halloween Sweet Tooth: 2025 candy and decor trends from Instacart data
Halloween arrives earlier each year, and Americans stock up on candy and decorations well before October hits. According to Instacart, candy orders on Halloween were 100% higher than average in 2024, with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups topping the charts and candy corn continuing to divide the nation. more
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Local social media responds to Three Odd Guys closure
After five years of bringing craft beer, pizza, and community gatherings to downtown Apopka, Three Odd Guys Brewing announced it will close its location on October 31st. more
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Don’t toss that pumpkin: Creative and healthy ways to use your Halloween leftovers
Before throwing away your carved pumpkin, consider turning it into something delicious and healthy. Fresh pumpkins and their seeds are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and magnesium, making them versatile ingredients for everything from pies to roasted snacks and savory dips. more
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An image of the HiPerGator, a supercomputer at the University of Florida. HiPerGator is the most powerful supercomputer owned and operated by a U.S. university.
UF becomes new home for USDA’s Breeding Insight program
The University of Florida has been selected to host Breeding Insight, a USDA-funded program that uses AI, high-performance computing, and advanced breeding techniques to create more resilient and nutritious crops. The move strengthens UF/IFAS as a global leader in agricultural science and positions Florida at the forefront of precision breeding. more
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Chef Israel Santiago with a student in Second Harvest's culinary training program.
Second Harvest Food Bank opens enrollment for culinary training program
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is now accepting applications for its free 16-week Culinary Training Program. This program helps adults gain hands-on kitchen experience, life coaching, and job readiness skills for entry-level food service positions. The next session begins September 15, 2025, and applications are due by September 8 for residents of Orange, Osceola, or Seminole counties. more
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UF/IFAS launches sustainable urban food production short course this fall
The six-week program begins October 6th and teaches participants how to grow, market, and manage urban agriculture systems. more
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Study author Benjamin Lemmond with Roo, the truffle-sniffing dog.
Assisted by sniffer dogs and DNA sequencing, researchers discover three new truffle species
When pandemic restrictions relaxed, researchers conducted genetic testing of the Oregon State specimens and others borrowed from Polish, Greek, Italian, French, and Japanese collections to learn more about our North American black truffle.  more
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The International Space Station.
UF/IFAS launches seeds into space to build climate-resilient crops
University of Florida researchers are sending plant seeds to the International Space Station to study how spaceflight alters plant genetics, hoping to unlock traits that boost resilience to drought, heat, and cold. This global collaboration could pave the way for both future space farming and hardier crops to withstand climate extremes on Earth. more
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OCPS is excited for another year of “Meals at No Charge”
Orange County Public Schools will once again serve free breakfast and lunch to all students in the 2025–2026 school year, thanks to the federal Community Eligibility Provision. more
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