An apple a day keeps a doctor away even from the children. But many kids struggle to increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

1. How to Increase the Fruit and
Vegetable Intake of American
Children
U.S. Lawns

2. An apple a day keeps a doctor away even from the children. But many kids struggle to increase their
daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
How Many Fruits and Veggies American Children Eat?
When it comes to the consumption of fruit and veggies, there is good and bad news. The 2014 Vital
Signs report suggested that children from 2 to 18 years old ate more whole fruits than in the previous
years. Between 2003 and 2010, consumption of fruit juices declined by 30%. Instead, the children
preferred eating the whole fruit.
In spite of this progress, children’s intake of fruits and veggies still did not meet the daily
recommendation. From 2003 to 2004, for every 1,000 calories, children consumed 0.24 cups of whole
fruit. From 2009 to 2010, it increased to only 0.40 cups.
To make matters worse, a survey revealed some children could go on for days not eating any
vegetable. It meant one in every four children from 6 to 11 months old. One in every 5 one-year-olds
may not eat any vegetable for two random days.

3. The Role of the Community and School’s Landscaping
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends fruit and vegetable consumption among
children. They can increase immunity and prevent the development of chronic diseases early. Most of
all, children form their lifelong eating patterns when they are still young.
The CDC recommends the participation of the school to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. It
is something a University of Florida study agrees.
According to it, children who enroll in schools with Farm to School activities tend to eat more
vegetables and fruits. They ate 37% more vegetables and 11% more fruit than before the program.
Accessibility and better knowledge on produce may have helped improve the consumption.
Commercial landscapers can also contribute to the goal. For one, they can promote water
conservation and management in multi-family communities through proper irrigation. These can help
increase the yield and quality of produce and could reduce water costs. In the process, it can make
such programs more sustainable.
Landscapers can help design stimulating food gardens, as well. This way, students would find farming
and all forms of greenery more enjoyable and less stressful.
It may take a village to help children eat more fruits and vegetables, but it is doable.

4. Resources
https://uslawns.com/locations/fl/south-miami/
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2017/12/05/uf-study-farm-school-program-boosts-fruit-veggie-intake/
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0805-fruits-vegetables.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/children-not-eating-vegetables-survey/