Our mothers and grandmothers told us to eat our fruit and vegetables. Now research shows us just how wise they were. A rapidly growing number of studies is showing the protective role that these foods play in preventing chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and many cancers, particularly those of the gastrointestinal system. Expert reviews of this research have led to the promotion of increased fruit and vegetable consumption in chronic disease prevention strategies world-wide.

Yet according to the latest Statistics Canada figures, less than one-third (29%) of Nova Scotians over age 12 eat the recommended 5-10 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. People who experience food insecurity are even less likely to eat the recommended number of servings.

The Healthy Eating Nova Scotia strategy has identified fruit and vegetable consumption as a priority area and the Fruit & Vegetable Working Group was created with these objectives:

1. To increase fruit & vegetable consumption for all Nova Scotians;
2. To increase the availability of fruits and vegetables in community, work, school and healthcare settings;
3. To improve access to and affordability of fruits and vegetables for low income populations.

By using a web survey the Fruit and Vegetable Working Group seeks to reach a wide range of groups with the potential to increase fruit and vegetable consumption: public health nutritionists; farmer and marketing organizations; schools; family resource centres; food box programs; produce retailers; farmers markets; community health boards; government agencies; community food security programs, daycares and more.

The survey will be posted until Monday December 4th, 2006. There are 20 questions (taking approximately 20 - 30 minutes to complete). Many of the questions are very broad to allow for a diversity of perspectives and approaches to the issues.

As a small token of our appreciation, ten respondents who complete the survey will be selected at random to win Heart & Stroke Foundation and Canadian Cancer Society cookbooks!

A report with the results from the web survey is planned for release in early January and will be shared with a wide audience. If you have any questions or comments please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   or 902 461 7782

Sincerely,
Jennifer Reynolds
Fruit and Vegetable Working Group Coordinator,
Healthy Eating Nova Scotia

SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Find the full Healthy Eating Nova Scotia document here.

The Fruit and Vegetable Working Group has representatives from health, agriculture, economic development, schools, and food security sectors including members from the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia School Boards Association, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture, Sobey’s, Atlantic Superstore, Ecology Action Centre – Food Action Committee, Canadian Diabetes Association and Public Health.

Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating recommends 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Nationally, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association have joined forces in the “5 to 10 A Day For Better Health” campaign, an effort to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease by encouraging people to consume at least five servings of vegetables and fruit a day.

Details on the “5 to 10 A Day For Better Health” Campaign