Likelihood of eating fresh produce increases with income for US adults, new CDC report shows

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Published: 2026-09-19T13:36:20.207Z • Permanent link

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the significant impact of income on the likelihood of eating fresh produce among US adults. According to the data, adults from higher-income households are more likely to consume fresh fruits and vegetables, whereas those from lower-income households are less likely to do so. This disparity is a longstanding issue, dating back decades and mirroring the existing health disparities in the United States. The CDC report emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address the nutritional gaps faced by low-income communities.

Epidemiologists at the CDC point to the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) as evidence of the significant disparities in fruit and vegetable consumption. The report notes that in 2019-2020, only 31% of adults in the lowest-income quintile reported consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, compared to 56% of those in the highest-income quintile. Furthermore, the CDC data reveals that these disparities are not limited to the United States, but are observed globally, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of these disparities.

Government agencies, policymakers, and researchers are taking notice of the CDC report and are calling for a more concerted effort to address the nutritional gaps faced by low-income communities. Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the CDC, emphasized the importance of addressing these disparities, stating, "We need to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of these disparities, including poverty, lack of access to healthy food options, and limited access to healthcare services.

The CDC report has significant implications for the food industry, research communities, and policymakers. Companies that produce and distribute fresh produce, such as grocery stores and food manufacturers, are likely to be impacted by the report's findings. For example, stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's may see an increase in demand for fresh produce from higher-income households, potentially driving up prices and limiting access to these products for lower-income households. Researchers, such as those at the National Institutes of Health, are also likely to take notice of the report's findings, as they may seek to explore the underlying causes of these disparities and develop targeted interventions to address them.

The CDC report also has significant implications for policymakers, who may be called upon to develop and implement policies aimed at addressing the nutritional gaps faced by low-income communities. For example, the report's findings may inform the development of policies aimed at increasing access to healthy food options, such as food deserts relief programs or subsidies for farmers who grow produce in urban areas. Furthermore, policymakers may also be called upon to develop and implement policies aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty, such as increasing the minimum wage or expanding access to affordable healthcare services.

The CDC report is part of a larger pattern of research highlighting the significant disparities in health outcomes faced by low-income communities. For example, a report from the National Association of Community Health Centers found that in 2020, only 22% of low-income children had access to a pediatrician, compared to 53% of high-income children. Similarly, a report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that in 2020, only 15% of Medicare beneficiaries lived in areas with high-quality healthcare services, compared to 43% of non-Medicare beneficiaries. These disparities are not limited to the United States, but are observed globally, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of these disparities.