U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stopped in West Sacramento today to kick off a national information campaign for "MyPlate," the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recently adopted nutrition guide/template.
"America's abundant and nutritious food supply is one of the most affordable in the world, and increasing our consumption of fruits and vegetables will go a long way toward reversing overweight and obesity, not only for children but for all Americans," said Vilsack, who was also in town to promote President Obama's jobs bill.
Vilsack spent his afternoon touring the 26,000-square-foot Farm Fresh to You facility on Seaport Boulevard. The family owned organic produce home delivery service has more than 40,000 customers statewide.
Vilsack, who was joined by Farm Fresh co-owners, regional public officials and agricultural officials, said California was the perfect place to roll out the MyPlate campaign, given the state's role as the nation's leading fruits/vegetables producer and home to hundreds of thousands of agricultural jobs.
He said boosts in production and distribution of fruits and vegetables could produce more jobs in-state and elsewhere, thereby helping the U.S. economy.
MyPlate gets its name from the USDA graphic showing a dinner plate divided into four food groups - fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains - plus a glass depicting dairy.
In June this year, MyPlate replaced the long-standing USDA MyPyramid as the primary nutrition guide. Part One of the national MyPlate information blitz month urges consumers to "make half their plate fruits and vegetables."
More details on the program can be found at www.choosemyplate.gov.
See more details in Tuesday's edition of The Sacramento Bee.
Call The Bee's Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.
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