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About the National Fruit & Vegetable Program and Web Site

  1. What is the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  2. What is the goal of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  3. What are the components of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  4. Where can I learn more about the National Fruit & Vegetable Program and eating a healthy diet?
  5. How do I learn about local fruit and vegetable activities?
  6. Can I republish information from this Web site?

The Importance of Eating Fruits and Vegetables Every Day

  1. Why are fruits and vegetables important for my health?
  2. How many fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily for good health?

More about the Fruit and Vegetable Recommendations

  1. Why are the fruit and vegetable recommendations now listed as cups instead of servings?
  2. Are there recommendations for children?
  3. If I take a multi-vitamin, does this reduce my fruit and vegetable needs?
  4. Does juice count towards my recommended fruit intake?
  5. Where can I find more information about food safety and fruits and vegetables?

Types of Fruits and Vegetables

  1. What types of fruits and vegetables are promoted by the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?

How to Add Fruits and Vegetables into Your Diet the Quick and Easy Way

  1. What are some quick and easy ways that I can add fruits and vegetables into my diet?
  2. What are some quick and tasty ways to prepare fruits and vegetables?

Fruits & Veggies — More Matters

  1. What is Fruits & Veggies — More Matters?
  2. Why are the logo and the identity of the national fruit and vegetable program changing?
  3. When does the launch of the new identity take place?
  4. How can I be involved in the launch of Fruits & Veggies — More Matters?
  5. How do I legally use the Fruits & Veggies — More Matters logo?
  6. Are there new recipe and product criteria with the new brand?


About the National Fruit & Vegetable Program and Web Site

  • What is the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  • The National Fruit & Vegetable Program is a public private partnership. It is a confederation of government, not-for-profit groups and industry groups working collaboratively and synergistically to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. Participants in the program include:

    • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    • American Heart Association (AHA)
    • American Diabetes Association (ADA)
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • California Department of Health Services (CDHS)
    • National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA)
    • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
    • National Council of Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators
    • Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH)
    • Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
    • United Fresh Fruit and Produce Association (UFFPA)
    • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    The National Fruit & Vegetable Program also includes Nutrition Coordinators in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and uniformed forces. Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators work closely with partnering organizations and are responsible for planning and conducting fruit and vegetable activities in their state.
  • What is the goal of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  • The goal of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program is to promote health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. The National Fruit & Vegetable Program supports initiatives to provide education and to improve access to fruits and vegetables.
  • What are the components of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  • The National Fruit & Vegetable Program focuses on several key areas to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables for all Americans.

    • Building state and community capacity and infrastructure
    • Policy and environmental change
    • Nutrition education and behavior change
    • Research
    • Evaluation
    • Communication
    • Working with industry and other national partners
  • How do I learn about local fruit and vegetable activities?
  • Information about local, regional, or state fruit and vegetable activities is available through Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators. A list of the Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators can be found in our Health Professionals section.
  • Can I republish information from this Web site?
  • Yes. All of the fruit and vegetable content can be republished from this site. FruitsandVeggiesMatter.gov must be credited as the source of the information. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this Web site.

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The Importance of Fruits and Vegetables

  • Why are fruits and vegetables important for my health?
  • Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories and provide essential nutrients and dietary fiber. They may also play a role in preventing certain chronic diseases. When compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts, as part of a healthy diet, tend to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and perhaps cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. 6th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, January 2005.
  • How many fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily for good health?
  • Your daily fruit and vegetable needs depend on your calorie needs. Your calorie needs are determined by your age, sex, and physical activity level. Visit How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need?

    To learn more about an overall healthy eating plan that includes the appropriate calories and the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetable that you need, visit MyPyramid.gov and enter your age, sex, and activity level into the My Pyramid Plan.

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More about the Fruit and Vegetable Recommendations

  • Why are fruit and vegetable recommendations now listed as cups instead of servings?
  • The fruit and vegetable recommendations are listed as cups because it is easier for people to relate to amounts in household measurements rather than as servings only. To find more information about common fruit and vegetable sizes that equal ½ cup and 1 cup, visit What Counts as a Cup?
  • What about children?
  • The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 fruit and vegetable recommendations include recommendations for children, ages two and older. To see your child's recommendations, visit our How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need? interactive tool and enter your child's age, sex, and physical activity level.
  • If I take a multi-vitamin, does this reduce my fruit and vegetable needs?
  • Your fruit and vegetable recommendations do not change if you are taking a multivitamin. This is because in addition to vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables contain naturally occurring substances that may help protect against chronic health conditions. Thus, you should focus on meeting your nutrient needs primarily through foods. It should be noted that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 have recommended that the following population groups consume fortified foods or supplements to meet their nutrient needs:

    • People over age 50. Consume vitamin B12 in its crystalline form (i.e., fortified foods or supplements).
    • Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant. Eat foods high in heme-iron and/or consume iron-rich plant foods or iron-fortified foods with an enhancer of iron absorption, such as vitamin C-rich foods.
    • Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy. Consume adequate synthetic folic acid daily (from fortified foods or supplements) in addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.
    • Older adults, people with dark skin, and people exposed to insufficient ultraviolet band radiation (i.e., sunlight). Consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements.
  • Does fruit juice count towards my recommended fruit intake?
  • While 100% juice can count towards your intake, the majority of your choices should be whole or cut-up fruits (fresh, frozen, canned, or dried). These fruit choices are better options because they contain dietary fiber. ½ cup (4 fluid ounces) of 100% fruit juice does count as ½ cup of fruit in meeting your requirements.

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Types of Fruits and Vegetables

  • What types of fruits and vegetables are promoted by the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?
  • All fresh, frozen, dried, or canned fruits and vegetables count toward your fruit and vegetable goal. Fruits and vegetables (with the exception of olives, avocados, and coconut) are naturally low in fat. Canned, dried, and frozen foods are also good options. Look for fruit without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces.

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How to Add Fruits and Vegetables into Your Diet the Quick and Easy Way

  • What are some quick and easy ways that I can add fruits and vegetables into my diet?
  • Try these!

    • Add fruit to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal (not just bananas, but also try apples, grapes, berries, peaches, or mandarin oranges).
    • Snack on mini-carrots or dried fruit at work instead of candy.
    • Add to your take-out dinner with fruits and vegetables from home.
    • Microwave a vegetable to add to your dinner or eat some fruit for dessert.
    For more quick and easy tips, check out the Tips section.
  • What are some quick and tasty ways to prepare fruits and vegetables?
  • Here are some no-hassle, quick ways to get delicious fruits and vegetables on the table.

    Salads and Sides:

    • Open and rinse cans of kidney beans, wax beans, chickpeas, and green beans, and toss with a low-fat or fat-free vinaigrette for an ultra-fast bean salad.
    • Try adding fresh herbs to vegetables before you roast, stir-fry, or steam them. For example, tomatoes go well with basil and oregano, and carrots go well with dill.
    • Broil sliced vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes for just a few minutes until they blacken around the edges. Serve warm with a low-calorie dressing of lemon juice, low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise, and black pepper.
    Entrees:
    • Add 1–2 cups of frozen vegetables to canned soup before heating; serve on top of rice in a shallow bowl.
    • Use a 12-inch, pre-baked packaged pizza crust to create a 20-minute dinner; add sliced zucchini, fresh spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and low-fat cheese and bake at 400° F until the cheese bubbles.
    • Add grapes, sliced apples, and pears to a chicken salad made with low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise.
    •  Add tomatoes, radishes, and green bell peppers to a tuna salad made with low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise. 1
    • Top broiled lean meat, chicken, or fish with salsa. Each 1/2 cup of salsa counts as a 1/2 cup toward meeting your daily vegetable needs.
    1The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and shellfish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. For more information, call FDA’s information line toll-free at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or visit FDA’s and EPA’s What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish.

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Fruits & Veggies — More Matters

  • What is Fruits & Veggies — More Matters?
  • Fruits & Veggies — More Matters is a new public health initiative to replace National Fruit & Vegetable for Better Health. The Fruits & Veggies – More Matters brand is owned by one of CDC’s partners, the Produce for Better Health Foundation. CDC serves as the lead public health authority and lead federal agency for the brand.
  •  
  • Why are the logo and the identity of the national fruit and vegetable program changing?
  • The HHS-USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 recommends various amounts of fruit and vegetable intake based on age, sex, and physical activity level. Encouraging 5 servings of fruits and vegetables is no longer an accurate recommendation for most people. The new logo and brand encourage individualized change to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.
  •  
  • When does the launch of the new initiative take place?
  • The national launch for Fruits & Veggies — More Matters took place on March 19, 2007. At present, launch events are planned in a number of cities throughout the United States, with several main launch events taking place in San Francisco, New York City, and Atlanta.
  •  
  • How can I be involved in the launch of Fruits & Veggies – More Matters?
  • Each state, territory, and uniformed service has a fruit and vegetable coordinator. Contact your coordinator to find out how you or your organization can participate in the launch of Fruits & Veggies — More Matters.
  •  
  • How do I legally use the Fruits & Veggies — More Matters logo?
  • Licenses to use the new logo for the public sector (non-profit and government organizations) will soon be able to be obtained from the CDC. Please contact Mary Kay Solera, msolera@cdc.gov  for more information on licenses for the public sector.

    Licenses for the private sector (for-profit organizations) can be obtained through the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Please contact Kristin Hodgson, khodgson@pbhfoundation.org, at the Produce for Better Health Foundation for more information on licensing for the private sector.
  •  
  • Are there new recipe and product criteria with the new initiative?
  • Yes, they are called the Products Promotable criteria, and they have changed from the previous National Fruit & Vegetable criteria. These criteria are currently on the Produce for Better Health Foundation Web site* and will be available on this Web site soon.
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*Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.


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