Several international and governmental agencies have kept track of fruits and vegetables
available for consumption on a per capita basis. In the United States, the amount of fresh
and processed fruits available for consumption increased from 263 lb per person per year in
1976 to 277 lb per person per year in 2003, registering a 0.2% growth (Cook, 2004). Similarly,
the amount of fresh and processed vegetables available for consumption increased
from 622 lb per person per year in 1976 to 712 lb per person per year in 2003, registering
a 0.5% growth (Cook, 2004). Statistics Canada (Food Statistics, 2007) estimates that
total fruits available for consumption increased from 117 kg per capita in 1993 to 133 kg
per capita in 2004. The per capita availability of vegetables decreased from 187 kg in 1993
to 178 kg in 2004.