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Farmers' markets provide the produce that most American diets need WASHINGTON (July 3, 1998 01:33 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -- People can get the fruit and vegetables lacking in many diets and simultaneously give a boost to the rural economy by shopping at farmers' markets, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says. At Thursday's opening of the summer-long weekly farmers' market at the Agriculture Department, Glickman pointed to the agency's most recent nutrition survey showing that two-thirds of Americans should consume more fruit and vegetables. "The Healthy Eating Index is a report card on the American diet, and it shows that we need improvement -- just the kind of improvement we can make by shopping at farmers' markets," Glickman said. The number of farmers' markets has grown by 35 percent since the department began keeping track in 1993, providing $1.1 billion in direct income to small farmers across the country. They increasingly are popular in cities. "Farmers' markets bring wholesome, healthy, fresh produce directly to urban consumers, give small farmers the opportunity to improve their income and help build strong and vibrant communities," Glickman said. The Healthy Eating Index measures 10 components to assess diets. Five examine how closely a person follows the recommended daily amounts of grain, vegetables, fruit, dairy and meats and five measure consumption of fat, sodium, cholesterol and overall variety of diet. The survey of roughly 5,000 people a year from 1994-96 indicated that only about 12 percent of Americans have a diet considered good. Most people are reducing fat and eating a greater variety of foods, but still need more fruit and milk and less sodium to become healthier. The Agriculture Department also is encouraging farmers' markets to accept coupons from the Women, Infants and Children program so low-income people have access to more nutritious foods. Shirley Watkins, the agency's undersecretary for nutrition, said markets in 32 states, the District of Columbia and two Indian reservations now accept them. By CURT ANDERSON, AP Farm Writer Copyright 1998 Nando.net Copyright 1998 The Associated Press janet paterson a new voice: http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/janet/index.htm hith-gang: http://www.parkinsonalliance.net/medical/hihgang.htm pwp event calendar: http://newww.com/cgi-bin/do_cal?c:pwpc 51/10 - endocarb/selegiline/fluoxetine - [log in to unmask]