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A new state-by-state report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that the majority of Americans fail to consume the recommend amount of fruits and vegetables, HealthDay News reports. In addition, the report—entitled the State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009—notes that no state has achieved objectives outlined in the Healthy People 2010 initiative, which aims to have at least 75 percent of Americans consume the recommended two or more daily servings of fruit and at least 50 percent of Americans consume three or more daily servings of vegetables. Providing the first state-by-state data on fruit and vegetable consumption, the report highlights three policy and environmental areas, including healthier food retail, availability of healthier foods in schools and food system support. Specifically, the report notes that only eight states have polices for healthier food retail improvements aimed at increasing the number of full-service grocery stores to promote healthier foods. In addition, the report found that only 21 percent of U.S. middle schools and high schools offer fruits and non-fried vegetables in vending machines, school stores or snack bars. Moreover, fewer than 50 percent of states have policies promoting farm-to-school programs. The report also spotlights the need for food system support, noting that food policy councils, which make recommendations regarding policies and programs such as community gardens, farmers' markets and farm-to-school programs, can help increase the availability of healthy foods. Examining high school students specifically, the report found that just 13 percent and 32 percent of students consume the recommend servings of vegetables and fruits, respectively, with fewer than one in 10 students consuming enough of both. Commenting on the findings, Heidi Blanck, a CDC scientist who worked on the report, says it "is a call for states, communities, schools and families to support increased fruit and vegetable consumption." Noting that "a diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for optimal child growth, maintaining a healthy weight" and disease prevention, William H. Dietz, M.D., director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, says the report will provide states a snapshot of fruit and vegetable consumption among their residents and help them devise plans for increased consumption of healthy foods (HealthDay News, 9/29/09; Stobbe, AP/Baltimore Sun, 9/29/09; CDC release).