Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get more information on services provided by this program?
You can contact Jorge Fonseca at:
University of Arizona-Yuma Agricultural Center. 6425 8th Street. Yuma, AZ 85364. Ph. (928)782-3836, (928)580-5613, jfonseca@ag.arizona.edu.

Would you give a talk about vegetable quality systems at our company? Is it possible to have the talk in Spanish?
Yes, we will be delighted to come to your company, association, firm, etc. and share relevant information. We are able to provide talks in Spanish for most subjects.

Would you come to a class of elementary and high school students to talk about food safety?
Yes. We have excellent materials that can be used for minors. We (and the audience) enjoy these talks very much.

Can you still help me with a problem not strictly related to the topics covered by the Western Vegetable Quality Program?
Although our main interest is vegetable quality we would be happy to redirect you to the right person. The University of Arizona has specialists in many areas related to vegetables such as crop protection, irrigation systems and economics. If you share with us a concern about an issue outside our area of specialty we will put you in contact with a specialist who can best answer question.

What are nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals are food or compounds (substances) in food that have been linked with illness prevention. Lycopene in tomatoes and watermelons and sulforaphane in broccoli are examples of nutraceuticals.

What is a functional vegetable?
This is a vegetable that integrates all the properties for which it is purchased or provides an additional benefit other than satisfying the basic need of food. Examples of functional foods are orange juice fortified with calcium or vegetables that provide higher nutraceutical content than other foods.