Students have returned to campus and today marks the start of the fall quarter. It feels like we have hit the ground running as the weather cools and the leaves start to change color.

Last week, in partnership with the UC Davis Library, we hosted Savor: Is Wine Healthy? Exploring Science and Culture Inside the Wine Glass. The conversation was lively, in-depth, and nuanced. The event recording will be available soon, and due to high demand, we will send it to all our newsletter subscribers.

Terra Madre Americas, a FREE 3-day global culinary convergence, happens this weekend, September 26-28, in Sacramento. Dozens of UC Davis faculty, staff and students from across campus will share knowledge about climate change, food and wine, regenerative agriculture, waste reduction, biodiversity, and much more. They will join UC Davis Health chefs, researchers, and staff for 3 days of activities. Please check out the schedule of educational talks, panels, and tastings and visit the UC Davis Health pavilion inside the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

On Saturday at 6:30 pm, I'll be moderating a panel on the main stage, about the importance of small farms with Ryan Galt, Director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis, Thea Rittenhouse, Farm Equity Advisor at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and Mas Masumoto, owner of Masumoto Family Farm and celebrated author. 

Other opportunities include an Enoteca with more than 90 wines-by-the-glass from across the United States and Latin America, and an outdoor street festival with live music, and an indoor marketplace where you can explore more foods and beverages. 

Our October events are also coming up fast! The Walt Klenz Lectureship Series on Wine Business returns on October 7 with Michael Mondavi. He will discuss the cycles of demand in the wine industry, focusing on the recent downturn in wine consumption and sales. Registration is now open.

The 12th Annual TASTE Food and Wine Fundraiser happens on October 11, and you can see a list of wineries, restaurants, and food producers below, with more added daily! Tickets go on sale September 29 at noon. We will send a notice at that time to all newsletter subscribers. It sells out fast, so mark your calendars.

Finally, there are two articles that I encourage you to read. Our student writer, Gwen Gonzalez, has created a fascinating blog about the history of the Department of Food Science and Technology. The second article profiles 12 foods that you probably eat regularly that were brought to you by the University of California. As you walk through the grocery store, you can see the impact of research and innovation on your daily life.

Thank you for your continued support and I hope to see you at an event in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

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

View the entire September 2025 newsletter.