Extension
It Starts With Us
Nutrition Education and Food Availability
Accessing Nutritious Foods
Rebecca Konopka, Rebecca Hayes, FCS
Local Food Systems
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Nutrition and Food Systems General
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.
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
Participants will:
- Access more local foods
- Redeem Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program & WIC benefits.
- Plant, harvest and preserve produce
- Apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits
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
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 WIC & Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program benefits.
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
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, WIC Farmer's Market FIs
Inputs: Agents, NEP Paraprofessional, volunteers, UK resources, KDA, USDA, NEP, local food banks
Date: Summer
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: January - December
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farmer' Market Kids Days
Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef
Inputs: Staff, Farmer's Market Vendors, KDMC Sponsorship
Date: July
Audience: Consumers
Project or Activity: Farmacy Coupons
Content or Curriculum: Farmer's Market
Inputs: Staff, KDMC Sponsorship, Local Doctor's Offices
Date: July - September
