Festive dinner table with empty plate

As families gather for Thanksgiving, some may want to consider how the foods on their table could be at risk in a warmer climate. Higher temperatures, water supply challenges, and unpredictable weather and storm events will further complicate farming, home gardening, and availability and prices of many traditional foods. Below are 10 food-related stories relevant to what’s on our plates . . . and what’s in our air and in our atmosphere.

Morel mushroom


Mushrooms
The warm, wet weather this past spring caused a bumper crop of morel mushrooms in Colorado.

Schultz Farm sign


Fruit
A Michigan fruit farmer diversifies his crops to weather ups and downs brought on by changes in climate.

Rice photo


Rice
Scientists develop a genetically modified rice plant that grows without producing methane, a global-warming gas.

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Wine
In times of drought, there is new interest in dry farming, an ancient technique for growing grapes.

Oyster boats


Oysters
Carbon pollution is changing ocean conditions and making it harder for baby oysters to build their shells.

Cows drinking water


Beef
As climate is drier and warmer in some cattle raising areas, farmers are struggling to provide enough water.

Butler Farm pigs


Pork
A pig farmer in North Carolina is experimenting with turning waste into energy.

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Walnuts
A California walnut farmer achieves goal of becoming energy self-sufficient.

Fish in a net


Fish
As the world’s population increases, the need for reliable sources of food – especially protein – will grow.

Beer mug


Beer
With risks of persistent severe droughts a growing threat across the West, California craft beer makers’ thirst for adequate water supplies could be a boon to the East.