Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month

Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month: Celebrating the Goodness

September is all about embracing the joys of fruits and vegetables during Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month. Traditionally, people celebrate this event by adding more fruits and veggies to their daily diets and engaging in various fun and educational activities.

Popular customs include trying out new recipes, visiting local farmer’s markets, or hosting healthy potlucks where everyone brings a fruit or vegetable dish. Families can also spend quality time together by planting their fruit and vegetable gardens or enjoying picnics in parks.

The joy in this month comes from the first-hand experience of living a healthier lifestyle, along with the emotional connection created through the act of giving and receiving meaningful gifts in the form of delicious and healthy food.

Within a professional context, the workplace can encourage their employees to celebrate Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month by hosting lunch and learn sessions on the benefits of fruits and vegetables, organizing a weekly fruit and vegetable delivery to the office, or even having a competition for the best fruit and vegetable-inspired desk decorations.

In an effort to create a more personalized experience for coworkers, consider finding the perfect small gift, like a customized fruit basket or a quirky vegetable-themed item to brighten up their workspace, allowing them to feel truly appreciated and celebrated.

Did you know there’s a whole month dedicated to celebrating the goodness of fruits and veggies? That’s right, the Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month is celebrated each year in September, and it’s been around for a while! Here’s a brief history of this colorful and nutritious month that encourages us to get our daily servings.

The origins of Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, when 5 A Day for Better Health campaign was launched by the National Cancer Institute and the Produce for Better Health Foundation. This campaign aimed at promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and obesity. And let me tell you, the initiative grew popular rather quickly!

As time progressed, the campaign became more inclusive and evolved into Fruits & Veggies — More Matters in 2007. This new brand emphasized the importance of consuming more fruits and vegetables for better overall health and fighting obesity, not just as a cancer preventive measure.

Another milestone occurred in 2019 when the campaign’s name changed once again (keeping up with the times!), and it became known as the Have A Plant Movement. The updated name reflects a modern approach to emphasize the benefits of eating a colorful and diverse variety of fruits and vegetables, while still maintaining the same goals of promoting better health through increased consumption.