The WIC Program encourages all families to offer their children MORE fruits and vegetables.  Moms know the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and understand that a diet including fruits and vegetables can help their child be at a healthy weight. 

How are we doing?  

The latest USDA Dietary Guidelines call for most adults to eat between 3.5 to 6.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, depending on age, sex and activity level.  A two to three year old child should eat about one and a half cups of fruits and one and a half cups of vegetables a day.  In 2005, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveyed adults throughout the country about their fruit and vegetable habits.  This survey revealed only 33% of adults are eating fruit two or more times a day, and 27% are eating vegetables three or more times a day.  We know fruits and vegetables are important, but we aren’t quite eating enough.

How can we turn our positive attitudes about eating fruits and vegetables into action?   

All Americans are encouraged to eat MORE fruits and vegetables every day.   Fruits & Veggies—More Matters™  is a public health campaign that started in 2007. 

The message is simple:  No matter how many fruits and vegetables you eat every day, everyone benefits from eating MORE.  Whether it’s fresh, frozen, canned, dried or 100% juice, all forms count!   

Look for the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters™ logo on approved products and recipes.  If the logo is on a product or recipe, that means it meets the highest nutrition standards set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Almost 90% of moms surveyed by the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), said that they would likely serve fruits and vegetables more often if they had access to fast, simple recipes and serving suggestions, and had help with ideas for specific meals and snacks.   PBH now has an interactive website, www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, to help families move their good intentions into action.  The website offers recipes, serving ideas and shopping tips, as well as activities and tips for getting children involved.  There is also a place where consumers can share their own easy and fun ideas by submitting them on-line.

Help your family be in good health – offer MORE fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks.