Fruits and Vegetables: Enhanced Federal Efforts to Increase Consumption Could Yield Health Benefits for Americans was unveiled on September 5 by two members of the US congress who joined with produce trade association and health foundation representatives in calling for increased support for the promotion of fruit and vegetables.

Their calls mirror efforts in the UK over recent years which have culminated in the National Fruit for Schools scheme rolled out this year.

'This GAO report is the first step toward changing the mindset of the federal food programmes so that fruits and vegetables play a more prominent role,' said Rep. Sam Farr. 'We need to stop talking and come up with the federal dollars to change America's unhealthy eating habits.' One in six Americans already benefit from federal food programmes such as school lunches and breakfast, but the GAO's findings appear to give the green light for greater emphasis on fruit and vegetables to be included in these initiatives.

'Bottom line – the GAO report highlights the discrepancy between federal health guidance on fruits and vegetables versus actual federal spending,' said United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association president Tom Stenzel. 'There a clear message here that it's time for the federal government to act now to help close the gap.'