The first-ever State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009 provides information for each state on how many fruits and vegetables people are eating, and it highlights three key areas within communities and schools that can be improved to increase access, availability, and affordability of fruits and vegetables.
What does the State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009 show?
The report shows that no state is meeting national goals for the amount of fruits and vegetables Americans should be eating. According to Healthy People 2010, a framework for the nation’s health priorities, the goal is for at least 75% of Americans to be eating at least 2 fruits daily and for 50% to be eating at least 3 vegetables daily. However, only 33% and 27% of adults are meeting these goals, respectively, and even lower proportions of adolescents in grades 9–12 are meeting them (32% and 13%, respectively).
Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases, including stroke, other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. However, it can be difficult for many Americans to eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables each day because they might not be easily accessible, available, or affordable.
Three key areas that can be improved
Retailers, such as supermarkets and grocery stores that stock a variety of high-quality fruits and vegetables, are an important asset for the health of residents.
Only 8 states have a state-level policy for healthier food retail improvements, which can help increase the number of full-service grocery stores in areas where they are unavailable, increase the availability of healthier foods in small food stores, and promote healthier foods through information at the point of purchase.
Schools are in a unique position to influence and promote fruit and vegetable intake among youth, school staff, parents, and other community members.
Only 1 in 5 (21%) middle and high schools offer fruits and non-fried vegetables in vending machines, school stores, or snack bars.
Only 21 states have a state-level policy for farm-to-school programs that can increase fruit and vegetable access in schools, as well as increase nutrition and agriculture knowledge among children in school.
Food policy councils, which are organized, multi-stakeholder organizations, support systems changes to improve food environments. A systems approach to food considers many factors involved in getting fruits and vegetables from farms to consumers, including the roles of growers, processors, and retailers.
Only 20 states have a state-level food policy council, and 59 local food policy councils exist across the nation.