Summer has gone by quickly, and the campus is already preparing for the return of students next month. Fall feels like it is peeking around the corner with slightly cooler weather, and this year's grape harvest has started in the RMI vineyards.

The UC Davis Olive Center will host the International Olive Sustainability Conference in early September, welcoming experts worldwide to share research on sustainable olive farming and olive oil production. It is an ambitious and impressive event for farmers, producers, olive oil industry members, and culinary professionals. It will surely be a success, and we'll share a recap in our September newsletter.

Sensory science is at the core of the Robert Mondavi Institute, and you can help! The Guinard Lab is looking for participants to taste table grapes this week, Wednesday through Friday. It takes less than an hour, and you can participate multiple days. Details and the survey sign-up are below.

We've shared an article below on Dion Skaria, a food science student who developed Fit Candy, an innovative gummy candy made from upcycled watermelon rinds. Admittedly, I am very partial to his success as his academic advisor, and I encourage you to read his story. You can find him at the farmer's market if you are a Davis local.

Finally, join us for our annual food and wine-tasting event on October 12. TASTE tickets go on sale on Thursday, September 26, at noon. You will receive a newsletter email that day to remind you to purchase your tickets. They will sell out very quickly!

If you enjoy our programs and newsletters, please forward this to a friend and consider supporting the Robert Mondavi Institute through our Friends Program.

Sincerely,

Ned Spang
Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science
Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology

View the entire August 2024 newsletter.