For Immediate Release:
March 14, 2007
Contact:
Nanci Gonder, Office of Public Information
573-751-6062
While more than half of all adults know they should eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day, more than 90 percent of Americans do not consume the recommended amount.
To encourage Missourians to consume more fruits and vegetables, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is joining the Produce for Better Health Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to unveil a new public health initiative: Fruits & Veggies—More Matters.
The new initiative is being launched during March, National Nutrition Month.
“March is a great time to urge Missourians to eat more fruits and vegetables to maintain good health,” said Donna Mehrle, manager of the state health department’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases. “When it comes to fruits and vegetables, more really does matter.”
Research shows that increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables may help prevent many chronic diseases.
In order to meet the recommended dietary guidelines, most Americans need to at least double the amount of fruits and vegetables they are currently eating. Health experts suggest eating fruits and vegetables in all forms: fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100 percent juice. They also recommend consuming fruits and vegetables at every meal and for snacks.
“This new call for a healthier America is attainable and easy for people to understand. The message is intentionally simple: to increase consumption, eat more fruits and veggies at every eating occasion,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation.
Consumers will see the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters message in stores, on packaging, at home and on-line. The initiative includes an interactive consumer-targeted web site designed to give Americans the tools and information they need to make better food choices. The web site – www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org – offers recipes, serving ideas and shopping advice.
The web site also includes activities and tips for getting children involved and exploring the different varieties of fruits and vegetables. In addition, consumers have the opportunity to share their own serving ideas by submitting them online.
Fruits & Veggies—More Matters replaces the national 5 A Day awareness program and will build upon the success of the 5 A Day program to encourage consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables.
The development of the new initiative is being led by the Produce for Better Health Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with The Culinary Institute of America and other organizations committed to achieving increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. For more information visit: www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org and www.cdc.gov/fruitsandveggies.
The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month is “100% Fad Free” and emphasizes the importance of avoiding diet fads in favor of making healthy food choices. Created by the American Dietetic Association, National Nutrition Month encourages people to learn about the new food pyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans and use them as a guide to healthy eating. The guidelines can be found at: http://www.mypyramid.gov/.