DATE: March 22, 2007

CONTACT: Marge Condrasky, (864) 656-6554
mcondr@clemson.edu

WRITER: Peter Kent, (864) 650-7899
pkent@clemson.edu


Clemson helps promote fruits, vegetables

CLEMSON — More matters! More fruits and vegetables, that is.

“Fruits & Veggies -- More Matters!” is the new national campaign for healthy eating, which is recommended by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Bureau of Community Health and Chronic Disease Prevention. Joining DHEC and others in the state launch team, Clemson University dietitian Marge Condrasky will help initiate the program by teaming up with a chef to show families how to cook and enjoy the bounty of fruits and vegetables.

“It’s vital that we eat more fruits and veggies to improve our health and watch our waistlines,” said Condrasky. “The people and agencies involved are here to help the public find foods that are good to eat and good for you.”

Partnering with DHEC, BI-LO and local chapters of the American Culinary Federation, Condrasky will lead a seven-week series of in-store events to help families find simple ways to serve more fruits and veggies, within an established program called “What's Cooking?”

At “What’s Cooking?” events, customers may talk with a chef and a nutritionist, receive recipes, menus and tips, and try samples of the featured item of the week. Events are scheduled:

  • Saturday, March 24, through Saturday, May 5, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the BI-LO at 699 Fairview Road, Simpsonville
  • Saturday, May 12, through Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the BI-LO at Village at Sandhill, 120 Forum Drive, Columbia

“The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Produce for Better Health Foundation and DHEC are promoting increased fruit and vegetable intake,” said Susan Frost, a registered dietitian and DHEC Nutrition Program consultant who serves as the state Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program coordinator.

“Research indicates that increasing your fruit and vegetable intake each day reduces the risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases,” Frost said. “While more than 50 percent of adult consumers are aware they need to eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day, more than 90 percent are not doing so.”

Frost suggested some quick and easy tips for increasing your family’s servings:

  • Add fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables and 100 percent juices to recipes.
  • Prepare fruit and veggie treats in advance of snack time.
  • Buy seasonal fruits and veggies to take advantage of cost savings.
  • Properly wash, cut and store fruits and vegetables.
  • Introduce a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to children when they are young.
  • Add them to dishes your children already love.
  • Limit access to unhealthy snacks.
  • Allow children to select the types of fruits and vegetables they prefer.
  • Be a role model and eat fruits and veggies.
  • Put reminders up in your kitchen to remember that “More Matters!”

For more information on “Fruits & Veggies -- More Matters,” visit DHEC’s nutrition Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/nutrition or http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

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