United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2002-07-25 monographic deposited born digital 67 p. GA 1.13:GAO-02-657 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657 P0b002ee18037e1fc f:d02657 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657 GAO-02-657 Food programs for children Food programs for the elderly Health research programs Nutrition research Disadvantaged persons Program evaluation Food Stamp Program HHS Healthy People 2010 Initiative National School Breakfast Program National School Lunch Program Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Other Written Product A04084 Fruits and Vegetables: Enhanced Federal Efforts to Increase Consumption Could Yield Health Benefits for Americans (25-JUL-02, GAO-02-657). Fruits and vegetables are a critical source of nutrients and other substances that help protect against chronic diseases. Yet fewer than one in four Americans consumes the 5 to 9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables recommended by the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Fruit and vegetable consumption by the general public as a whole has increased by about half a serving under key federal nutritional policy, guidance, and educational programs, as shown by the national consumption data compiled by federal agencies. But key federal food assistance programs have had mixed effects on fruit and vegetables consumption, as shown by national consumption data. However, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is not a primary focus of these programs, which are intended to reduce hunger and support agriculture. A number of actions the federal government could take to encourage more Americans to consume the recommended daily servings have been identified. These include expanding nutrition education efforts, such as the 5 A Day Program; modifying the special supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children to allow participants to choose from more of those fruits and vegetables; expanding the use of the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Project in schools; and expanding farmers' market programs for food assistance participants. These options could require additional resources or redirecting resources from other programs. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657.pdf GAO-02-657 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-657 Other Written Product GAO-02-657; Fruits and Vegetables: Enhanced Federal Efforts to Increase Consumption Could Yield Health Benefits for Americans; Food programs for children Food programs for the elderly Health research programs Nutrition research Disadvantaged persons Program evaluation Food Stamp Program HHS Healthy People 2010 Initiative National School Breakfast Program National School Lunch Program Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children