Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Fruits and vegetables are an important component
of the U.S. diet. Nutritionists and health professionals
have clearly shown that diets low in fat,
high in fiber, with at least five servings a day of
fruits and vegetables are protective against many
types of cancer and lessen the risk of heart disease.
Federal initiatives, including the U.S. Dietary
Guidelines, the Food Guide Pyramid, Healthy
People 2002, and the National Cancer Institute’s
Five a Day Program, have highlighted the
nutritional importance
of eating fruits and
vegetables. “Strive
for Five” programs
initiated by agricultural
companies and
food trade associations
also have stressed the
need to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
Consumers listening to these messages have altered
their food choices. Between 1970 and 1997,
the U.S. total per capita annual consumption of
fruits and vegetables increased 24%, from 577 to
718 pounds.
Growers have responded positively by growing
and harvesting a wide variety of traditional
and “new” fruits and vegetables. Global production
and distribution, coupled with innovative
packaging, and improved marketing and merchandising
strategies, have provided consumers
with an abundance of fruits and vegetables. The
increase in global trade makes food from over 130
countries around the world available to U.S. consumers
and provides year-round availability of
fresh produce.