Industry Viewpoint: Eating more produce can solve the world’s most pressing health issues

Alex DiNovo, past chair of IFPA’s Foundation For Fresh Produce

This article originally appeared in The Produce News. Click here to read.

World renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés once stated at a conference I attended that the most important source of energy on earth is the food that we eat. This profound statement rings true on multiple levels. Food is not just sustenance; it embodies community, economy, health and love. Currently, a transformative movement is reshaping the way our society fuels itself — a shift that is imperative for the survival of our species and the preservation of our planet.

Over the past several years, I have dedicated considerable time to investigating and understanding the initiatives aimed at revolutionizing our dietary habits. My journey has taken me to various conferences and events, including food as medicine summits, the WSJ Global Food Forum, the Produce for All Leadership Summit and of course, the Global Produce and Floral Show. I have engaged with and absorbed insights from numerous subject matter experts who advocate for essential dietary changes. One constant theme emerges above all others: the critical need to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our collective diet.

The prominence of produce as a solution to some of the world’s most pressing challenges is twofold. First, we face a global crisis of diet-related diseases and health conditions. Modern food production, while successfully feeding large populations cheaply, has led to a proliferation of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. These products are engineered to trigger cravings, making us victims of our own ingenuity.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. spends over 17 percent of its GDP on healthcare. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes account for over  80 percent of all premature non-communicable disease deaths, all of which are linked to diet. This represents as much as over $4 trillion in taxpayer dollars spent on treating diet-related diseases. By fostering a healthier society through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, we can alleviate significant societal and financial burdens. Investing in fruit and vegetable access and education, particularly as a preventive measure for children, promises to extend lifespans, enhance health spans and achieve substantial cost savings for taxpayers, currently spent on palliative treatment and care.

Another looming crisis that increased fruit and vegetable consumption can help avert is the escalation of global temperatures due to excess carbon emissions, which threatens irreversible consequences for our planet and its diverse species. According to the UN, approximately 34 percent of global CO2 emissions are related to the food we eat. Studies suggest that shifting our global diet toward more fruits, vegetables and less carbon-intensive foods could potentially reduce these emissions by as much as 70 percent.

The EAT-Lancet Commission underscores that increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables can significantly mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from food production. Its report indicates that a transition to a more plant-based diet can dramatically lower the environmental impact of our food systems.

The Foundation for Fresh Produce is poised to drive the conversation and attract the right partners to the table surrounding this movement. The top priorities for the foundation are fruit and vegetable access and education for children, produce prescriptions and serving as a platform for produce consumer education. Addressing these dual global crises requires a multi-pronged approach. A grand unification theory is emerging about the optimal diet for individual health, societal well-being and planetary sustainability. In this narrative, fruits and vegetables are the protagonists, serving as the essential catalyst for creating a healthier and more sustainable world.

The Foundation and industry members have a unique opportunity to lead in this new paradigm. By advocating for increased produce access and education, we can leverage fruits and vegetables as powerful solutions to some of the world’s most significant challenges. It’s time to recognize their vital role and make them a priority.

Everyone in the industry has the passion for what we do and understands our positive impact on society. I encourage you to reach out to me or any of our board members to learn how you can support the mission of changing the trajectory of human health.

For more information or to donate, visit  https://www.freshproduce.com/foundation/