Kids and adults who use six or more canned foods per week are more likely to have diets higher in 17 essential nutrients. In fact, having a well-stocked pantry of canned fruits and vegetables can help you serve up the recommended 42 cups of fruit and 53 cups of vegetables a family of four* needs every week. Experts agree that eating more fruits and vegetables is an essential part of a healthy diet.

More Fun Canned Food Facts!

  • About three-fourths of the population is not eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. A well-stocked pantry of canned fruits and vegetables can help you serve up the recommended 42 cups of fruit and 53 cups of vegetables a family of four needs every week.
  • Compared with those who don’t use cans, adults and kids who consume canned fruit and vegetables get more energy, dietary fiber and potassium, and less fat and saturated fat.
  • National nutrition guidelines suggest including seafood in meals twice per week. Canned seafood, like tuna or salmon, can make lunches or weeknight dinners easier. They are prepared, high-quality proteins that are easy to add to your weekly menu.
  • The nutrients and vitamins in fresh fruits and vegetables are degraded in the time it takes for the fresh produce to be shipped from the farm to your supermarket; and even then, it often sits on shelves or in storage for days before it finally reaches your shopping cart. Cans provide year-round access to seasonal fruits and vegetables and keep food fresh and flavorful without the need for preservatives or additives.
  • The people who bring you store-bought canned foods use essentially the same method as home canning to preserve the goodness of farm fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood.
  • There are more than 1,500 varieties of canned foods available year-round, providing easy access to a world of ingredients anytime.

*for two kids, 2- to 3-years-old