Prioritizing child nutrition is a strategic imperative for the produce industry
Prioritizing child nutrition is a strategic imperative for the produce industry
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity, account for approximately 75 percent of all deaths globally and diminish the quality of life for millions. Over 2.1 billion children under the age of 20 are currently affected by NCDs or exposed to their major risk factors. Furthermore, 391 million children aged 5 to 19 years are living with overweight and obesity, a staggering figure that has tripled over the last 25 years.
Diet-related NCDs are rising worldwide, driven by food environments that promote unhealthy diets. To combat this trend, global dietary guidelines and numerous studies consistently emphasize that consuming at least five daily portions of fruits and vegetables is vital for preventing and treating NCDs. Translating these guidelines into lasting behavior requires recognizing that dietary habits are fundamentally established during early childhood, making interventions at this formative age critical for shaping healthy adult habits. Ultimately, we must put children at the center of global response to obesity and NCDs. Therefore, if we want to move the needle on fresh produce consumption, we must start with our youngest consumers.
Children’s right to a healthy food environment
Child nutrition, NCD reduction and food environments were also among the key topics at Rome Nutrition Week, where I had the privilege of representing The Foundation for Fresh Produce this May. Organized by UN Nutrition and the Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome Nutrition Week is a key international event that brings together global experts to address critical food system challenges. One of the powerful messages from this event emphasized a fundamental child’s right: the right to a healthy food environment that actively enables and supports healthy choices.
Translating this vision of a healthy food environment into reality means recognizing that true progress is about shifting the entire ecosystem — from policy to supply chains — to make nutritious food accessible, affordable and the default choice for every child. Elevating the presence of fruits and vegetables in families, school meals and local markets remains extremely important for the prevention of NCDs and improving metabolic health worldwide. This aligns perfectly with the mission we champion at The Foundation for Fresh Produce, where our focus is precisely on improving access, building strategic partnerships, and creating systemic changes that make fruits and vegetables more accessible globally.
Comprehensive child nutrition education
Access to produce should go hand-in-hand with robust child nutrition education strategies. A multifaceted approach is required, utilizing school meals, culinary and cooking-based classes for children, garden and farm-based nutrition experiences and general nutrition classes while also supporting youth-led food systems transformation campaigns, food is medicine programs and programs like WIC and SNAP in the United States. Furthermore, we must invest in professional development for educators and school nutrition professionals.
Initiatives such as the Child Nutrition Education Network, championed by The Foundation for Fresh Produce, exemplify this approach in action. This collaborative platform is a global community dedicated to child nutrition education, where all relevant practitioners, schools and organizations can easily connect with partners and funders to share resources and shape the health and wellbeing of future generations.
By implementing diverse nutrition education programs, we are actively equipping children, families, and individuals with the knowledge, tools and interactive experiences that support nutritious food choices, proper hydration, active living and sustainable smart routines. The foundational belief driving these initiatives is simple yet profound — healthy children create a better world.
Conclusions for the produce industry
Introducing children to a diverse array of fresh fruits and vegetables at home and in the classroom is a fundamental step in establishing healthy dietary patterns. To achieve this, the fresh produce industry is uniquely positioned to support policies that enable healthy food environments and ensure fruits and vegetables are front and centered in schools, families, and communities.
By making fresh produce a standard part of daily routines and actively supporting child nutrition education and professional development for educators, we help children build a lifelong affinity for produce. Ultimately, through investments in early childhood nutrition, we champion the well-being of all children and secure a steady future for both the global community and the produce industry.
For more child nutrition education resources, visit the For Professionals section of www.fruitsandveggies.org.
Dr. Jelena Gligorijević is a medical doctor and nutrition specialist with 30 years of experience in clinical settings. As a consultant in medical nutrition therapy and obesity treatment, she has treated over 10,000 patients with a wide range of medical conditions and from diverse social backgrounds.
Dr. Gligorijević also serves as the chief medical officer for The Foundation for Fresh Produce, where she is dedicated to the mission of raising awareness about the crucial role daily fruit and vegetable consumption plays in overall health.
In this capacity, she has authored the white paper, Fruits, Vegetables, and Human Health: Key Nutrients and Their Role in Chronic Diseases, alongside numerous articles on nutrition and health.
