Despite the proven benefits of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption for health promotion and disease prevention, as well as national efforts to increase consumption to recommended levels, i Data suggests that the average individual's daily intake continues to fall below recommendations for many Americans1. In a community assessment of Nacogdoches County, Texas, multiple risk factors for inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption were identified, including: low income level, poverty status, unemployment status, black ethnicity, low education level and currently another harmful health outcome. Many risk factors are closely intertwined, suggesting inadequacy due to unavailability, higher relative costs, low perceived value, lack of social encouragement, and low preference. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is a goal of the nationally adopted health goals, Healthy People 20202. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, three key benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption support recommendations for greater intake. First, fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients often insufficient in the American diet. Furthermore, their consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Finally, they promote caloric balance3. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended 4 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate campaign recommends that half of an individual's plate, when filled for each meal, consist of from fruit and vegetables4,5. Social and physical factors are believed to determine diet. Social factors include knowledge and attitudes, skills, social support... middle of paper...e.g.; June 2011 [cited June 5, 2011]. Available from http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/Layouts/ContentPage.aspx?pageid=35474.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State Population, Emergency Preparedness and Response Data Snapshots: Nacogdoches County [Internet database]. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Mar 2007 [cited June 4, 2011]. Available at http://emergency.cdc.gov/snaps/data/48/48347.htm.Texas Department of State Health Services. Summary of Highlights Community Health Needs Assessment of Nacogdoches County, East Texas. Austin (TX): Texas Department of State Health Services; July 2007. Available from: Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78714. www.dshs.state.tx.us/easttexas.http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=29# one