Nutrition and Food Systems Plan of Work

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Powell County CES

Title:
Nutrition and Food Systems
MAP:
Improve Physical and Mental Health
Agents Involved:
Kendyl Redding, Jason Vaughn
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Food Preparation and Preservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

A foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, feeding practices, food science, and food systems are essential to changing dietary behaviors. With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthful dietary decisions. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities.

Long-Term Outcomes:



Intermediate Outcomes:


Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Outcome:  Nutrition knowledge, skills, and competencies

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: use knowledge and skills to improve food-shopping management; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions; increased food preservation knowledge; demonstrated recommended food preservation practices

Method: Self-report surveys; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome: Preparing and preserving food 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition

Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome:  Dietary intake 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily

Method: Self-report surveys about fruit and vegetable intake or other dietary improvements; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome:  Availability and access to healthy food 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: utilizing delivery systems/access points (e.g., farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) that offer healthy foods; supplementing diets with healthy foods grown or preserved (e.g., community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting, farmers markets); dollar value of vendor-reported sales or EBT, WIC, or Senior benefits redeemed at farmers’ markets; number of pints of foods preserved through water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, or drying. 

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program




Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Communities


Project or Activity:  Farmers' Market Outreach

Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access (e.g. location, hours, EBT), Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, community partners

Date: April – October/Growing seasons


Project or Activity:  Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Kentucky Farm to School Task Force Resources, Health Coalitions, resources for early care and education settings

Inputs: Volunteers, grant funds, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stakeholders, SNAP-Ed Toolkit 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year


Audience: Families and Individuals


Project or Activity:  Food Preparation for Better Health

Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, LEAP, Super Star Chef, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, plans for prenatal- and infant/toddler-specific curriculum, resources for early care and education settings, The Dinner Table Project, First Friday Feast, Cooking Matters, Cook Wild KY, Recipes for Life.

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year


Project or Activity:  Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Champion Food Volunteers, Food Preservation workshops and hands-on classes, gardening education.

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP

Date: July – September for adults and youth


Audience: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association/Volunteers


Project or Activity:  Promoting Nutrition with Volunteers

Content or Curriculum: Mastering Food Choices, International Cuisine publications, Food preservation workshops, Monthly Leader Lessons

Inputs: Volunteers, paid staff, community partners





Success Stories

Eastern KY Plant Sale

Author: Jason Vaughn

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 A 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment of Powell County indicated that residents believe that fewer chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer should be a top priority.  Research has shown that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can decrease the occurrence of chronic diseases.  Homeowners are in a unique position to access fresh fruits and vegetables by growing their own.  Education by Extension Agents and Specialists in home horticulture emphasize

Full Story

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Author: Jason Vaughn

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is valued by Seniors and Farmers in Powell County.   The program provides residents below a certain economic threshold and age, market vouchers worth $30 dollars.   Seniors use the vouchers as cash at the Powell County Farmers’ Market and the farmers return the vouchers to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for reimbursement.  The program is a win-win providing seniors access to locally produced nutrition while supportin

Full Story
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