PRO HEALTH

POLICY BASED ON
FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES IN
COSTA RICA
Cecilia Gamboa C.
Coordinator of National Network 5 a Day Costa Rica
 Background
In Costa Rica, non communicable
diseases (NCDs) occupy the first causes
of death and illness for more than 40
years.

According to the World Health

Organization (WHO), low fruits and
vegetables is a risk factor associated
with these diseases.

In CR less than 50% of the WHO

recommendations
(225g per day of fruits and vegetables)
In 2006, the Third International
Fruit and Vegetable
Agriculture Business Forum
was held, where International
Strategy 5 a Day was
presented and a group of
Costa Rica decided to set up
an inter-institutional and
intersectoral team to create
and promote the Strategy.
 The inter-agency and
intersectoral team

AGRICULTURE

MINISTRY EDUCATION
OF HEALTH

HEALTH
 The inter-agency and
intersectoral team

1) Established a roadmap for the formation of a

Network 5 a Day

2) A plan of action was formulated

3) A draft official decree was proposed for the

creation of the National Network 5 a Day, which
was approved in October 2007. (No. 34030 S-
MAG-MEIC-MEP) signed by the President of the
Republic, Ministers of Health, Public Education,
Agriculture, Economy, Industry and Commerce
 ¿ What is the National Network 5 a Day?

It is a participatory national
organization, acting through inter-
institutional coordination and
alliances with the governmental,
non-governmental sector and the
private sector in order to promote
the consumption of fruits and
vegetables in all groups and
sectors of society.
 National Fruit and Vegetable Day
March 12, 2014, Decree No. 38217-S-MAG-MEP

General objective

Increase the daily

consumption of fruits and
vegetables to promote
the food and nutritional
security of the population.
 Specific objectives

Inform and
Coordinate actions communicate to
between sectors and different population
Contribute to the
institutions related to the need to increase
educational
the production, the consumption of
processes that
marketing, fruits and vegetables
promote healthy
distribution, sale, for a healthy diet and
eating habits in the
access and to reduce the risk of
population
consumption of fruits certain non
and vegetables. communicable
diseases
 Strategic Areas

Production,
Planning and Education and Communication
marketing,
policies training and information
access
 Strategy & Action
Plan for the
Prevention and
Control of NCDs Food
Guidelines of
Costa Rica
Family
agriculture
program

5 A DAY Program of fruits

& vegetables
Gardens in
Schools

Farmer's Fairs
Decree Regulation
of student food
stores
THANKS