Fruits and Veggies - Fresh Canned Frozen

Frequently Asked Questions

Why fresh, frozen and canned?

Not enough Nova Scotians are eating vegetables and fruit. There are real barriers to consumption of vegetables and fruit, including access, availability/seasonality and affordability. This campaign focuses on the variety of ways to access vegetables and fruit to help increase fruit and veggie consumption. By widening the focus to include fresh, frozen and canned options, we’re able to draw attention to the numerous ways to consume vegetables and fruit. It’s about raising awareness and supporting a positive change in eating habits, no matter how small.

There are already a number of vegetable and fruit campaigns developed, including the 5-10 a day national campaign. How is this campaign any different?

The majority of Nova Scotians do not eat the recommended 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruit per day. Despite the collaborative work completed to date, more work is needed.

Goodness in many ways is a social marketing campaign focused on the variety of ways to eat vegetables and fruit. This campaign is unique because it focuses less on the number of servings to consume and instead on the need to eat more vegetables and fruits. Likewise, in addition to providing awareness, campaign goals included supporting increased capacity building, and skills building for preparation of vegetables and fruit among Nova Scotians.

The campaign provides tips and ideas to help increase veggies and fruit in our everyday eating; it includes mass media elements, and is linked to a partnership network to support work in communities across Nova Scotia.

Are fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and fruit equally nutritious?

Fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and fruit have about the same nutritional value. In fact, studies show that nutrients are generally similar in fresh and processed vegetables and fruits. What’s important is to eat of variety of vegetables and fruit at every meal and snack.

The message of encouraging more fruit and vegetable consumption within the Nova Scotia population is a positive approach to health messaging compared with some audiences who currently perceive healthy eating messages for health promotion and/or chronic disease prevention as reductions in or avoidance of particular foods or nutrients.

Why is the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia and other health stakeholders recommending canned products as part of this campaign? These can be high in sodium and sugar.

Canada’s Food Guide recommends eating a variety of vegetables and fruit everyday; however, the majority of Nova Scotians do not consume the recommended daily amount of vegetables and fruit. Research has identified that there are real barriers to eating fresh vegetables and fruit including access, availability, and affordability, and this campaign has been developed with those issues specifically in mind. By widening the focus to include fresh, frozen and canned options, we’re able to draw attention to the numerous ways to consume vegetables and fruit.

While it is true that canned products can be higher in sugar and sodium, they are also a viable and important source of essential nutrients. As a result, when choosing frozen or canned vegetables and fruit, it is important to look for products with little or no added salt, sugar or syrup. Similarly, if you’re using canned vegetables that include salt, rinse them under water to remove much of the added salt.


Quick Tip:

Start your day with a fruit. Include frozen berries in a smoothie or add them to cereal.