The New Jersey 5-A-Day Coalition, composed of representatives of both NJDA and DHSS, as well as the state's health and retail food industries, works year round to remind consumers of the important health benefits of eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

The national 5-a-Day For Better Health program, an effort to increase every American's daily consumption of fruits and vegetables to five servings a day, debuted in 1989 with the endorsement of the Produce for Better Health Foundation and the National Cancer Institute. The program's message is bolstered by studies showing that eating more fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease and other health problems.

The 5-A-Day program is a natural partner for NJDA's Jersey Fresh program which, among other activities, works to promote the consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables. To support the national 5-A-Day program, the 5-A-Day Coalition was organized in 1993. The group currently includes representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Through cooperative efforts in both state government and private industry, the New Jersey 5-A-Day Coalition distributes literature and sponsors special events to inform consumers about the health benefits of eating five or more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

For more information about the Coalition, contact Jackie Feldman in the Division of Markets, (609) 292-5567.