In The Long Run
- by Jean C. Buzby and Hodan Farah Wells
- 5/1/2007
Fruit and vegetable availability up 20 percent since 1970
The total amount of fruit and vegetables (fresh and processed) available for consumption in the United States reached 690 pounds per person in 2005, up 113 pounds, or 20 percent, since 1970. In 2005, per capita availability stood at 275 pounds for fruit and 415 pounds for vegetables. ERS food availability data suggest that citrus fruit availability declined by 13 pounds per person between 1970 and 2005, while availability of noncitrus fruit (particularly apples) increased by 46 pounds. Potatoes and tomatoes are the top two vegetables in terms of annual availability and have been trending upwards alongside increases in dark dark-green and orange vegetables.
