German children hardly encouraged to eat fruit and vegetables

The initiative 'Germany - Mein Garten' held a representative questionnaire among around 1300 children and young adults between 10 and 25 in the summer of 2014 commissioned by the 'Bundesvereinigung der Erzeugerorganisationen Obst und Gemüse e.V.' (BVEO). The research yielded partially concerning results about the eating habits of young people in Germany.

Almost 80 percent of the children and young adults indicated that they enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. However they are hardly supported in this at home: 70% of children do not eat home prepared fruits and vegetables every day. One in four children in the age group of 10 to 13 years old only get a home cooked meal once or twice a week.

A healthy snack is also no guarantee for the younger generation. 25% of those questioned eat sweets or nothing in the break. Among 18 to 25 year olds over 30% don't eat anything healthy. Although 51% of girls reach for fruits or vegetables, only 39% of the boys do.

Although more and more children and young people get their knowledge about fruit and vegetables from the internet (28%), certain fruit and vegetable varieties that are available all over Germany are unknown: a fourth of the 10 to 17 year old had never eaten pumpkins or mirabells. Around a third of the young people don't know the distinctive taste of fennel.

At the top of the list of the most beloved fruits among young consumers was the strawberry (43%). But almost one in ten children believe they grow underground. Apples (19%) and raspberries (10%) are also enjoyed. In vegetables cucumbers are the favourite (17%), followed by tomatoes (15%) and carrots (10%).