A new nationwide poll has revealed that US consumers are broadly supportive of fresh fruits and vegetables, with the majority calling for equal access to healthy, affordable, green and fair produce.
According to a survey by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, more than 68 per cent of 800 American adults surveyed said they are eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains than five years ago.
Some 97 per cent said health is very important when buying fresh produce, with 83 per cent claiming affordability is also very important.
Over half of those surveyed, or 64 per cent, revealed that environmentally friendly practices are very important, while 60 per cent claimed a fair wage for harvesters is very important when purchasing fresh produce.
In addition, 93 of participants said it is very or somewhat important that all Americans have equal access to fresh fruits and vegetables, with three quarters supporting a national programme to double in the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamp) when used at farmers’ markets.
The survey also found that 81 per cent of strongly or partly agreed that Washington DC needs to do more to increase access to locally produced fruits and vegetables.
Furthermore, 86 per cent strongly or partly agreed that state and local officials should play a role in ensuring access to local, fresh food; with 89 per cent strongly or partly agreeing that the community needs to play a role in ensuring access to local, fresh food.
The survey was conducted by Lauer Johnson Research of 800 adults using mobile or landline phones on 18–22 April 2012. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 per cent.
