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\\u201cWe\\u2019re facing as a nation a fruit and vegetable consumption crisis.\\u201d

Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak (2:50-2:53)

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September is National Fruits And Veggies Month hosted by the Produce For Better Health Foundation!\\xa0

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Founded by Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, President and CEO, and internationally celebrated dietician, the Produce For Better Health Foundation not only wants to help increase fruit and vegetable consumption, but elevate the behaviors of fruit and vegetable consumption as a national priority.\\xa0

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Unfortunately, we\\u2019re facing a fruit and vegetable consumption crisis that\\u2019s been chronic in our nation for years. You might be thinking, \\u201cyes, I know I need to eat more fruits and vegetables,\\u201d but it goes beyond that. This is something that\\u2019s negatively impacting our society, our culture and our economy.

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\\u201cEvery fruit and vegetable that you put on your plate, there was somebody that was growing that, there was someone that was transporting it, there was someone that was putting it either in your online shopping cart or in your real shopping cart, and it\\u2019s making its way onto your plate, contributing to your health and happiness.\\u201d - Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak (8:37-8:59)

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Not only is this an opportunity for the fruit and veggie loving public and industry to come together under one initiative to make this a priority, but a lot of research has come out identifying that people, in general, eat healthier meals when they\\u2019re eaten together as a family.\\xa0

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Eating healthier foods isn\\u2019t the only benefit to eating meals together; people greatly benefit from the connection of family and spending time together having conversations around the dinner table. Especially if you\\u2019re a family with kids, this is when important conversations happen, connection key to development is fostered, dangerous behaviours can be identified and discussed, and social behaviors are developed. The psychological benefits of connectedness are crucial during times like this.

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This is why the National Fruit and Veggie Month theme this year is Have A Plant\\xae Nation. During a national and global pandemic, this aims to act as a catalyst for creating family connections, celebrating diverse and unique ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables, improve America\\u2019s public health across the board, and elevate how the produce industry (and its influencers) advocate for fruits and vegetables to be enjoyed more often.

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The Have A Plant initiative wants folks like you to align with their values and share that with the world. It\\u2019s not just about eating more fruits and vegetables daily or at every meal, it\\u2019s about sharing your beliefs on how important that is with the rest of the world. That means having conversations at home, yes, but online as well! If just one more serving of fruits and vegetables on your plate could create the same for hundreds if not thousands of people through sharing one comment or one post, you\\u2019d be helping transform the nation\\u2019s health.

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\\u201cIt\\u2019s one attainable thing that we can all do to make our lives better \\u2014 eat more fruits and vegetables.\\u201d - Lori Taylor (15:16-15:24)

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Take the pledge for Have A Plant\\xae Nation by visiting www.fruitsandveggies.org! They have tons of resources you can download to put on your social media, phone or share with friends and your family. Start the conversation and see if you have someone in your life or even a group that wants to hold each other accountable. Make sure to use #haveaplant and #haveaplantpledge on your posts along with #nfvm2020 to support National Fruits and Veggies Month.

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How to get involved

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• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!