FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2007
CONTACTS
Holly Dingman, Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, 402-471-3442,
holly.dingman@dhhs.ne.gov
Bill Wiley, Communications & Legislative Services, 402-471-6585,
bill.wiley@dhhs.ne.govHHSS and Omaha Hy-Vee Join to
Promote New Fruit and Vegetable InitiativeLincoln – The Nebraska Health and Human Services System (HHSS) and the Omaha Hy-Vee grocery stores are joining to promote a new public health program, Fruits & Veggies – More Matters. Its purpose is to encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Research says that more than 50 percent of adults know they need to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, 90 percent of all Americans do not eat the recommended amount.
"Promoting the new Fruits & Veggies-More Matters effort in Nebraska is a great way to raise awareness of the fruit and vegetable gap," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Nebraska HHSS Chief Medical Officer. "Research tells us that Americans are aware of the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables. However, most people would need to eat twice the amount they currently eat to meet the recommended guidelines."
"This new call for a healthier America through fruits and vegetables is attainable and easy to understand. The message is simple: eat more fruits and vegetables with every meal," Schaefer added.
On March 19, two Hy-Vee stores in the Omaha area will provide store tours and tasting opportunities to the general public and media. The first event at 180th and "Q" will host an exclusive media store tour at 10 a.m. with an event for the general public from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The second event will take place from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the 96th and "Q" Street Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee dietitians will be available to answer questions at both events.
Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is an exciting program that people will see in stores, online, at home and on packaging. It is designed to inspire people to eat more produce by promoting a combination of great taste, nutrition, variety, and various product forms (fresh, frozen, canned, dried, 100% juice). It also will build upon research that shows that additional fruits and vegetables every day may help prevent many chronic diseases. A new consumer Web site, www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, will offer recipes, serving ideas and shopping advice.
Fruits & Veggies—More Matters replaces the current national 5 A Day awareness program. The new effort is being led by Produce for Better Health Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America and other organizations committed to encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables each day. For more information, visit www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org and www.cdc.gov/fruitsandveggies.
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