Carter County CES

Title:

Nutrition Education and Food Availability

MAP:

Accessing Nutritious Foods

Agents Involved:

Rebecca Konopka, Rebecca Hayes, FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

Situation:

Nutrition Education Programs help families gain access to food and stretch food dollars; communities to decrease hunger; and local food assistance programs to educate recipients on healthy and safe food preparation methods. Agents, paraprofessionals and volunteers are pivotal in influencing policies, systems, and environments and in training consumers and producers to maximize local access to food products from farm to table. In Carter County 17.6% of seniors and 27.1% of families with children are below the poverty level. With limited grocery stores in Carter County, many families have little access to nutritious foods.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Carter County population will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day

Carter Countians improve food management skills and healthy eating habits

People accessing emergency food sources will select from nutrient dense items

Intermediate Outcomes:

Access more local foods

Redeem Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program benefit.

Plant, harvest and preserve produce

Apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits

Number of:

Youth who access other food sources when not in school

Households accessing emergency food sources

Initial Outcomes:

Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to individual health and financial well-being

Understand the importance of consuming 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day

Learn to grow, prepare and preserve food

Increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management

Learn about community support services to increase food security

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Understand the importance of consuming 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day

Indicator: Number of children who can identify fruits and vegetables

Method: pre and post test

Timeline: Monthly

Intermediate Outcome: Redeem Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program benefit.

Indicator: Number of Vouchers redeemed

Method: Report from KDA

Timeline: June-Sept.

Long-term Outcome: Carter County population will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported eating more healthy foods

Method: Formal Evaluation

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Limited resource individuals, families, and farmers markets

Project or Activity: Increase access to fruits and vegetables, Home Gardening Program

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market, NEP program, Plate It Up KY proud, FMNP certification, Food Preservation publications

Inputs: Agents, NEP Paraprofessional, volunteers, UK resources, KDA, USDA, NEP, local food banks

Date: Summer, ongoing

Audience: Seniors and WIC recipients

Project or Activity: FMNP Vendor Training and Senior Voucher Distribution. Implement the Double Dollars Program.

Content or Curriculum: State Health Department and KY Department of Agriculture

Inputs: Agents, State and Federal Partners, Health Department, Northeast Community Action, Senior Centers, Community Farm Alliance.

Date: Summer

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Playdate Program, School Programs

Content or Curriculum: LEAP, WIN, Professor Popcorn

Inputs: Staff, Volunteers NEP paraprofessional, Schools

Date: Ongoing