Harvest of the Month is an initiative of the California Department of Public Health that features nutrition education tools and resources to support healthy lifestyle habits like eating fruits and vegetables every day.
Research shows eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables and getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily can help children maintain good health, a healthy weight, and lower risk for other serious health problems. Nearly two out of five children in California are overweight or obese. Among very low-income families, more than half are overweight or obese. The extra weight can have a serious impact on children’s health, putting them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Of California children ages 9-11 years, only three of ten are eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. Low- income children also have less access to nutrition lessons.