National Fruits & Veggies Month
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| National Fruits & Veggies Month | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Public Health Campaign |
| Date | September |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location | United States |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Inaugurated | 2019 |
| Founder | Produce for Better Health Foundation |
| Most recent | 2025 |
| Activity | Educate about the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and celebrate in song and culture how they are grown, distributed, and consumed |
| Patron | No formal patron |
| Sponsor | Produce for Better Health Foundation |
| Website | https://fruitsandveggies.org |
National Fruits & Veggies Month is a national observance and awareness campaign held in the United States during September to educate about the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables[1][2] and to celebrate in song and culture how they are grown, distributed, and consumed.[3] The awareness campaign consists of outreach to grocery stores and retailers, schools, and public organizations; outreach to nutritionists and other health professionals; weekly online contests with prizes; social media campaigns and logo wear; and other special events during September to celebrate National Fruits & Veggies Month. They also aim to inspire people to consume fruits and vegetables regularly and to create a more balanced lifestyle.[4][5] The 'Take the Have a Plant pledge' is to "add one more fruit or vegetable to your routine, every day this month."[6] The year-long initiative centered around 'Have a Plant' involves monthly educational themes to be carried out by their Fruit and Vegetable Ambassadors in Action (FVAA) network.[7]
The event is sponsored by the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) as part of the PBH Have a Plant Movement, which "aims to transform the way Millennials and Gen Z approach fruits and vegetables to change behaviors and boost consumption" (according to its website).[4] The PBH Have a Plant consumer movement replaces their previous Fruits & Veggies: More Matters public education program.[8] The 2019 NFVM theme was "Have a Plant: Food Rooted in A Better Mood" and is supported with printed and downloadable literature. Since 2022, the byline theme for the event has been "Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant®."
National Nutrition Month, established in 1973 and sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, follows six months later in March of each year.[9]
- 2019: Have A Plant – Food Rooted In A Better Mood
- 2020 - Have A Plant Nation[10][11]
- 2021 - Celebrating The Roots Of Our Food[12]
- 2022 - Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant®[13]
- 2023 - Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant®[14][15][16][17][18]
- 2024 - Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant®[19]
- 2025 - Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant®[20]
- 2026 - Have A Plant® Nation[21]
Media coverage
The PBH-CDC coalition began around 2010 with the National Cancer Institute.[22][23][24] National Fruits & Veggies Month is recognized by public health authorities and produce distribution companies.[25][26] The USDA's WIC Works Resource System designates September as *National Fruits and Veggies Month*, encouraging WIC staff to promote nutrition education and support participants in maximizing fruit and vegetable consumption during that month. This USDA site explicitly designates September as “National Fruits & Veggies Month” and encourages WIC staff to promote produce consumption during that time:
- “September is National Fruits & Veggies Month, an opportunity to bring greater attention to the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. WIC staff can use these resources to help participants maximize their cash-value voucher and remind them that it's not too late to take advantage of summer produce!”[27]