The IYFV 2021 is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the important role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition, food security and health and as well in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The FAO held the official launch event online on December 15, 2020, with FAO Director General, Qu Dongyu, opening the Year. The meeting revolved around sustainable production and trade, as well as loss and waste management.
INC member and Chair of the Dried Fruit Statistics Round Table, Guillaume Pagy, General Manager of Pagysa, Turkey, took part in the roundtable discussion as a representative of the INC and the dried fruit sector. He outlined the processing steps involved in drying fruits and highlighted the inherent sustainability of dried fruits.
Pagy emphasized that humankind has consumed dried fruits since prehistoric times; they have a long shelf life; they are easy to store and transport; they have low moisture content, providing the same nutrients as the fresh fruit equivalent, but in a much smaller package; they are versatile, they can be used in many tasty ways, and they offer important health benefits.
He concluded his speech by pointing out that dried fruits can contribute to a healthy diet by adding to the daily requirement of essential nutrients, in particular potassium, fiber and phytochemicals. They are nutrient-dense and have plenty of “healthy calories” as opposed to “empty calories”.
The FAO held the official launch event online on December 15, 2020, with FAO Director General, Qu Dongyu, opening the Year. The meeting revolved around sustainable production and trade, as well as loss and waste management.
INC member and Chair of the Dried Fruit Statistics Round Table, Guillaume Pagy, General Manager of Pagysa, Turkey, took part in the roundtable discussion as a representative of the INC and the dried fruit sector. He outlined the processing steps involved in drying fruits and highlighted the inherent sustainability of dried fruits.
Pagy emphasized that humankind has consumed dried fruits since prehistoric times; they have a long shelf life; they are easy to store and transport; they have low moisture content, providing the same nutrients as the fresh fruit equivalent, but in a much smaller package; they are versatile, they can be used in many tasty ways, and they offer important health benefits.
He concluded his speech by pointing out that dried fruits can contribute to a healthy diet by adding to the daily requirement of essential nutrients, in particular potassium, fiber and phytochemicals. They are nutrient-dense and have plenty of “healthy calories” as opposed to “empty calories”.