HAVE A PLANT! Celebrate National Fruits & Veggies Month by adding a plant to 1-2 meals a day
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ot dogs. Burgers. Pizza. Ice cream. The vegan alternatives to popular food favorites are not just on the rise, they’re here! In fact, meat and dairy alternatives are popping up everywhere from grocery stores to popular fast food restaurants. While the explosion of vegan options is certainly one to celebrate, some of us may find that our excitement over trying the latest and greatest vegan products has put our vegetable and fruit intake on the back burner. If you’ve noticed a decline in the amounts of plants you eat, you’re not alone. Recent studies have shown that a majority of Americans do not meet the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. With September being National Fruits & Veggies Month (NFVM), we spoke with Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) about NFVM, their Have A Plant® Pledge, and how to sneak more fruits and veggies into your diet. What is National Fruits & Veggies Month? PBH: National Fruits & Veggies Month (NFVM) is a month-long celebration of everyone’s favorite plants – fruits and veggies!
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NFVM was created to elevate fruit and veggie consumption behaviors as a national priority to raise awareness about all the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables every single day for both health and happiness. Why September? Is there a reason behind choosing this particular month to promote the importance of eating fruits and vegetables? PBH: Many produce industry stakeholders and consumer-facing influencers have enthusiastically promoted fruits and vegetables in September as a part of historic Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) campaigns, like 5-A-Day and Fruits and Veggies— More Matters. In 2019, PBH launched NFVM to elevate new fruit and
September/October 2021
