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Hope CommUnity Center opening a food pantry in Apopka

Guided by its slogan "Filled with Hope," HCC wants to ensure every individual has access to food in a welcoming and supportive environment.
UF/IFAS researchers deploy drones to perfect nutrient rates
The UF/IFAS Best Management Practices Lab is using drones to develop algorithms that estimate nutrient application rates for optimal crop yields.
A look down a grocery aisle at Aldi.
House lawmakers file bipartisan bill encouraging construction of grocery stores in food deserts
HB 89 would allow local governments to authorize “small-footprint grocery stores” in food insecure areas, as designated by the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
Examples of citrus greening.
Florida citrus is expected to produce the smallest crop in over a century
After two back-to-back hurricanes – Helene and Milton – in late September and early October, the USDA released its December forecast for the 2024-2025 citrus harvest. It's poised to be the smallest in over a century.
Report: Florida's citrus industry crop is down 90% from two decades before
The report by Florida Taxwatch says the industry is under assault by citrus diseases and hurricanes. Florida was hit by three hurricanes this year alone, with two of them, Helene and Milton, impacting the citrus industry. 
Sweet potatoes: The nutritious star of the holiday table
Florida’s sweet potato varieties generally come from Central and North Florida, and different potatoes are best used in specific types of recipes, but they all share the same nutritious profile.
Mix up your holiday drinks with these Florida-inspired mocktails
Choosing mocktails over cocktails means you’re avoiding all the negative health effects of alcohol, but it is also a boost to your gut health since alcohol can disrupt the healthy flora in your stomach.
Good nutrition; from pantry to plate
When it comes to nutrition, not all choices are created equal. Parents want their  kids to grow up healthy and happy, and most of us know that diet – what we eat, how much,  and how it’s cooked – plays a major role in overall well-being.  
Happy Thanksgiving Apopka!
A history of Thanksgiving
In 1789, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
A sketch from 1877 illustrating the landing of the Pilgrims by artist Albert Bobbett.
How the first Pilgrims and the Puritans differed in their views on religion and respect for Native Americans
For the Pilgrims, what we today know as Thanksgiving was not a feast but a spiritual devotion. It was a solemn, non-celebratory occasion, not a holiday.
Toss lukewarm leftovers, UF/IFAS food safety expert warns
Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium that proliferates in food kept at improper temperatures, thrives in high-protein foods of animal origin, including red meat, poultry, pork and gravy.
Fall means cranberry season − and sweet seasonal holiday dishes.
No need to overload your cranberry sauce with sugar this holiday season − a food scientist explains how to cook with fewer added sweeteners
This holiday season, you can easily cut the sugar added to your cranberry dishes and get the health benefits without a blood glucose spike.
Eggs Up Grill: A great place for breakfast and to connect with the Apopka community
In the Hunt Club Apopka area, there has been a glaring need for a solid breakfast spot, and the Giordanos saw an opportunity to fill the gap and create a place where the community can gather over a hearty meal.
Celebrate the holidays with comfort and savings: Choose natural gas
Whether you’re roasting a picture-perfect Thanksgiving turkey, baking a tasteful Christmas Eve ham, or whipping up your favorite dessert, there’s nothing better than bringing your loved ones together over a delicious meal, and there’s no better way to cook than with natural gas.