Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day

Certivance

20 May 2025 — 3 min read

Happy Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day – May 21

Celebrated: May 21

A Colorful Crunch

Get ready to turn up the color on your plate—because Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day is here, and it’s bursting with flavor! Celebrated every year on May 21, this vibrant holiday falls right in the heart of spring, when fresh produce is at its peak. It’s not just a day; it’s a reminder to celebrate the natural goodness that fuels our bodies and brightens our meals.

If your daily meals have been looking a little beige lately, this is the perfect excuse to shake things up. From ruby-red strawberries and deep green kale to sunny mangoes and purple cabbage, fruits and veggies come packed with color, nutrients, and taste. Whether you're blending a smoothie, roasting rainbow veggies, or snacking on crisp apple slices, there are endless ways to make your meals more exciting—and a whole lot healthier.

This holiday is more than just a feel-good initiative. It was launched to combat the rise of diet-related diseases in the U.S., including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Americans are consistently falling short of the recommended daily intake of produce, and this day is a gentle nudge to help turn the tide. Filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables isn’t just advice—it’s a small lifestyle change with big benefits.

So whether you’re a produce pro or just looking to start eating a bit cleaner, May 21 is your day. Grab a fork, hit your local farmer’s market, and get ready to eat the rainbow—your body (and your tastebuds) will thank you.

Juicy Facts About Fruits & Veggies

All About Color: The more vibrant the fruit or veggie, the more antioxidants it likely contains. Color isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful.
Snack Swap: Replacing chips with crunchy carrot sticks or fruit slices just a few times a week can make a huge difference in your energy and digestion.
America’s Favorite Fruit? Bananas top the list, with apples and strawberries close behind.
Don’t Be Fooled: French fries don’t count. Yes, they come from potatoes—but frying them removes many of the nutrients.
Eat the Rainbow: Each color group of fruits and veggies offers different benefits—orange for beta-carotene, green for iron and calcium, red for heart health, and more.

From Roots to Routine

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day is a relatively new holiday, founded in 2015 by the Dole Food Company as part of their broader mission to inspire healthier eating habits in the U.S. The timing is intentional—May is National Salad Month and prime harvest season for many fruits and vegetables.

But the roots go deeper. Humanity has been cultivating fruits and vegetables for over 10,000 years, ever since early civilizations transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming. These foods have always been central to our diets—but industrialization and modern food systems made processed foods more common, pushing fresh produce to the side of the plate.

With diet-related illnesses on the rise, initiatives like this one aim to restore balance. By putting fruits and veggies back in the spotlight, this day serves as a call to action—starting with what's on your plate.

How to Celebrate Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day

For Everyone:

Hit your local farmers market and try something new—ever had jicama? Starfruit? Watermelon radish?
Make a produce-packed smoothie bowl and decorate it like an edible masterpiece.
Challenge your family to a “5-a-day” produce challenge and track who hits their fruit and veggie goals.
Prep a colorful stir-fry, salad, or tray of roasted vegetables—it’s healthy, fast, and beautiful.

For Restaurant Owners:

Feature a “rainbow menu” or seasonal produce dish for the day.
Offer discounts on salads, veggie-based entrees, or fresh juices.
Partner with a local farm to host a tasting event or farm-to-table dinner.
Use the day as a springboard for a week-long “Eat Fresh” promotion.

Safe, Fresh, and Certified with Certivance

At Certivance, we’re passionate about keeping your kitchen—and your customers—safe. Whether you're prepping produce at home or managing food safety protocols at your restaurant, we’ve got the training and certifications to back you up. Let us help you stay fresh, compliant, and confident.
👉 Visit Certivance.com to learn more.