Late last week, United hosted members of the National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance as part of a meeting of the group's steering committee. A public-private partnership of produce and health-related organizations, the Alliance is committed to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and is collaborating on implementation of the group's National Action Plan.

As part of the event, United Fresh organized a special meeting with senior administration officials from USDA's Food and Nutrition Service to discuss the department's priorities for increasing fruits and vegetables in child nutrition programs.  The Alliance is committed to fostering closer collaboration with USDA and Julie Paradis, administrator for Food and Nutrition Programs, will represent USDA on the Alliance steering committee.

The committee is co-chaired by CDC and Produce for Better Health Foundation and includes United Fresh, PMA, American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, American Diabetes Association, National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, California Department of Health Services, State Fruit and Vegetable Coordinators, Canned Food Alliance and American Frozen Food Institute.

For more information, please contact United's liaison to the Alliance, Dr. Lorelei DiSogra at 202-303-3400 ext. 404.