Americans Value Access to Fresh Produce, Study Says

According to a new study issued by the WK Kellogg Foundation, Americans strongly favor issues of equity, health, and sustainability in the national food system. Surveying 800 adults, the report determined that the vast majority of participants believe Americans should have access to fresh, local produce, and that the government is responsible for ensuring that these foods are readily available to the public. Furthermore, respondents demonstrated a strong desire to support smaller, local growers, and offered to pay more money if farm workers were guaranteed fair wages. Gail Christopher, vice president for program strategy at the foundation, believes the results of the study point to a shift in the country’s attitudes about food. “It’s a wonderful sign of the increasing level of empathy,” she says.