Fruit and veg crisis calls for radical change
In a state-by-state survey of eating habits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that no US state is meeting national objectives on fruit and vegetables.
Survey results
Only 33 percent of adults are meeting the recommendation of two or more servings of fruit per day. This compares poorly with 75 percent goal set back in 2000 as part of the Healthy People 2010 campaign.
Similarly only 27 percent of Americans are eating enough vegetables and the figures are even worse for younger people, with 13 percent of high school students saying they eat at least three servings of vegetables every day.
“Based on this state by state data, every single state has a great deal of room for improvement,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, the head of Produce for Better Health Foundation.
Policy ideas
In light of the worryingly low level of fruit and vegetable consumption, CDC highlighted a number of policy areas where more could be done to help change American habits.
The CDC report said retail outlets that have a wide variety of quality fresh fruit and vegetables are an invaluable asset but only eight states have a policy for healthier food retail improvements.
Regarding the particularly low consumption levels of fruit and veg in high schools, CDC said schools are in a privileged position to influence eating habits. But at present, only 1 in 5 middle and high schools offer fruit or non-fried vegetables in their vending machines.
Food policy councils are another policy tool underlined by the CDC. Made up of agencies and community organizations, these councils look to improve access to fruit and vegetables at a local level. This means added support for farm–to–school programs, community gardens, farmers markets, and fresh produce in supermarkets. There are currently 59 such food policy councils in the US.
