Reducing Food Waste
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Local Food
Reducing Food Waste
Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors National Nutrition Month, an education and information campaign that focuses on the importance of a healthy diet, making informed food choices, and engaging in physical activity. This year’s theme is “Go Further with Food,” with a focus on finding ways to reduce food waste. The United States Department of Agriculture defines food waste as an edible item that goes unconsumed. This includes: Unfinished meals at home…
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Local Food
Kids Who Grow Veggies, Eat Veggies
Optimal fruit and vegetable intake is associated with improved overall health and reduced risk for obesity and chronic disease. Children who develop a healthy eating pattern are more likely to eat healthfully as adults. The current recommendation is 1-2 cups of fruit and 1-3 cups of vegetables daily, depending on the child’s age and gender.1,2 Despite the well-documented benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, less than half of American children eat the recommended daily amount…
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Local Food
A Homegrown Approach to Fighting Hunger
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, nearly 50 million Americans simply do not have enough to eat. Before you dismiss the phrase “50 million” as just another, incomprehensible number, consider it this way: if you add together the populations of Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia—nearly half of the…