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Agriculture and dietary guidelines

Abstract::
Relative to USDA dietary guidelines there is a 30% deficit in vegetable production and a 100% deficit in fruit production in the US. The western US, especially California, dominates current production of both fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Constraints in land and water resources in California suggest that some shifts in production could occur in the future if production is matched to self sufficiency. Opportunities exist for production to increase in the eastern half of the US where water is abundant, especially for processed products. Even regions with long winters, such as the northeast, could be self sufficient in fruits and vegetables. Past responses of agriculture to producing more healthy products include vegetable oils, low fat milk and greater production of poultry. Crop improvement programs have not included nutrition and health characteristics as a guiding principle and much potential to improve these traits in fruits and vegetables exists. Greater understanding of the effects of environmental and management factors on crop 'quality' is needed and strategies to produce nutritionally consistent products should be developed.
Author(s):
Duxbury, J.M. , Welch, R.M.
Subject(s):
vegetables , crop production , crop quality , Dietary Guidelines , geographical distribution , land resources , water resources , United States , California
Description:
In the special issue: US dietary guidelines: research and policy needs in the nutrition, health, and agricultural sectors / edited by C. Garza, D. Pelletier, A. Mathios, C. Ranney, P. McNamara, J. Blaylock, and S. Krebs-Smith. Commentary by B.O. Schneeman, p. 231-235.
Source:
Food policy Apr/June 1999. v. 24 (2/3)
Language:
English
Year:
1999
Collection:
Journal Articles, USDA Authors, Peer-Reviewed
File:
Download [PDF]   
Rights:
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.