September is Fruits & Veggies — More Matters™ Month

September marks the beginning of the school year and it's also Fruits & Veggies — More Matters™ month. This is a time when CDC joins other public and private organizations to promote eating fruits and vegetables for better health.

CDC has developed a kit, Explore the World with Fruits and Vegetables, for teachers, public health professionals, and dietitians to use with children to spark their interest in fruits and vegetables. It explores cuisines from different parts of the world, and provides activities to use in geography, math, and social studies classes. The kit includes a guide, poster, recipe cards for adults and children, worksheets, and a brochure.

PDF materials can be downloaded from Explore the World with Fruits and Vegetables. Materials in Spanish are also available. Preprinted materials for this campaign are available through the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Call 888-391-2100 or visit the Foundation Web site* for more information.

Why Fruits and Vegetables?

• Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that are important for good health.

• Compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts — as part of a healthy diet — are likely to have a reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and perhaps heart disease and high blood pressure.

• Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories, so substituting them for high-calorie foods can be a calorie-reducing strategy. To learn more about the value of fruits and vegetables in weight management, visit How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight.

Color Your Plate!

A plate that includes colorful vegetables is not just appealing to the eye. A wide variety of produce also provides your body with a number of health promoting benefits, such as vitamins, minerals and fiber. It’s important to eat a wide variety of colorful vegetables and fruits every day.

The following table gives examples of some of the seasonal vegetables and fruits you are likely to find in local markets during the fall months.

For suggestions on ways to prepare many vegetables and fruits, see Fruit & Vegetable of the Month. (Also see Recetas en Español).

Related Resources

Fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org* Visit the Produce for Better Health Foundation's Web site for helpful tips, recipes and additional information about fruits and vegetables.

MyPyramid, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)