The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) revealed that 'moms' in the US are cutting back on fruit and vegetables as part of an overall reduction in purchases during the tough economic climate.
In the study, which has taken place annually over the past four years, PBH found that although 60 per cent of mums believe that their families eat too few fruit and vegetables, fewer and fewer are offering them as part of meals and snacks.
Fruit consumption has dropped 12 per cent on the previous year with vegetable consumption falling 6 per cent – a result of the economic crisis influencing mother's attitudes and behaviours, the group said.
Over the four-year survey period, this is the first year that a fall in produce consumption has been noted, with 2.38 servings of fruit and 2.32 servings of vegetables each day down from 2.71 and 2.48 respectively in 2008.
According to the report, an increase in the consumption of fresh produce has a correlation with awareness of the group's Fruits & Veggies-More Matters public health initiative.
'It is important to continue to eat healthy, even in tough economic times,' said Elizabeth Pivonka, president and CEO at PBH. 'Fruits and vegetables are an inexpensive part of a healthy lifestyle, and Fruits & Veggies-More Matters can show moms how to include more, both at home and on-the-go.'
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