economic research service usda changing structure of global food consumption and trade wrs 01 1 g118 49 introduction f ruit vegetables increases the composition products consumed changes as nations become wealthier for example fruit in united states has increased over past two decades along with nation s prosperity higher incomes provide consumers freedom to make purchasing decisions based on factors other than meeting basic caloric needs been influenced by several including domestic production product convenience technolog ical improvements that maintain quality greater periods time modify produce meet preferences availability diversity through americans have also their vegeta bles they try healthier lifestyles background shown be an important part any diet leading towards good health low income countries where requirements is priority especially starches such tubers roots legumes up bulk locally seasonally available foods since people