WASHINGTON, DC -- April 24, 2012 -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today filed comments with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services on proposed regulations to establish basic requirements for the national Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The FFVP provides low-income elementary schools across the country with fresh fruit and vegetable snacks as often as five days a week. Overall, the comments supported the proposed rule, citing preliminary success the program has had in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption by participating youth. ACS CAN recommended continuing to allow only fresh fruits and vegetables to be served, as opposed to frozen, dried, or canned vegetables. The comments also commended the secondary goal of the program of incorporating this service with a nutrition education program, including educational strategies and policy and environmental changes. Nutrition and physical activity factors, including overweight and obesity, contribute to one-third of all cancer deaths. Because overweight and obese children are much more likely to become overweight or obese adults, it is important to develop healthy dietary habits early in life. For a full copy of the comments, visit: http://bit.ly/J4R71W ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Lauren Walens or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (202) 661-5711 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #nutrition #USDA #cancer #health #schools #diet