Produce purchases are up 10% over prior-year levels.  This increase may be attributed to more eating and cooking at home due to virtual school and work as well as a desire to consume healthier foods during the pandemic. Sales for both organic and conventional produce showed strong growth through the fall.

Credit has to be given to farmers and farm workers who worked diligently to ensure a consistent supply of organic and conventional produce was available to consumers as well as dietitians and nutrition communicators who regularly promoted the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables to help fight disease and improve immune function.

While some groups continued their attempts to disparage some of the more popular produce items during this pandemic, it is clear that consumers preferred the advice of health officials and registered dietitians who repeatedly encouraged increased consumption of all fruits and vegetables.

Recent reports from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also helped underscore that consumers can choose organic and conventional produce with confidence since both are safe and healthy. But as we celebrate the holidays and move into the winter months, continued healthy eating must continue to be prioritized.  So, once again, here are our Five Facts About Produce to reassure you about the safety of these healthy foods, benefits of consumption as well as a reminder about proper handling:

• Only 1 in 10 Americans eat enough produce each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control
• If half of Americans increased their consumption of a fruit and vegetable by a single serving, 20,000 cancer cases could be prevented each year.
• Washing produce under running tap water can reduce or eliminate any residues that may be present on organic and conventional produce as well help remove dirt and bacteria.
• Peer reviewed studies show mental well being rose in accordance with the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. (And we can all use that right now.)
• Ninety-nine percent of all foods tested by the USDA had residue levels well below government safety standards with 47% having no detectable residues at all.

Currently, conventional grown produce accounts for 93.6% of produce sales volume with organic representing 6.4% of the total sales volume, according to Organic Produce Network statistics.

Photo Credit: ScrubbingIn