Casey County CES

Title:

Healthy Foods and Healthy Meals

MAP:

Accessing Nutritious Foods

Agents Involved:

Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Health

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Cook Wild Kentucky

Situation:

Casey County is set in south central rural Kentucky. Limited resources and education and lower social economic status contribute to 30.5% of families that fall below the poverty line. A total of 3,392 individuals receive SNAP (food stamps) and 2,400 identify themselves as food insecure. With over 80% of Casey County youth qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the entire school system implemented the Free School Lunch program for all students.

Casey County adults report having/suffering from poor or fair health (25.7%), hypertension (50.6%), obesity (39%), and/or diabetes (16.5%). Health resources are limited in the small rural community and not all community members are awareness of those available. Some are not obtainable due to lack of knowledge or lack of resources (i.e. funds, etc.).

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Participants lower their risk for nutrition-related health problems.
• Participants maintain health weight or reduce to a healthier weight.
• Participants will be less food insecure.
• Youth will maintain healthier weights.
• Youth will maintain healthier lifestyle.
• Youth will reduce the likelihood of using nicotine in the future.
• Youth will reduce the occurrence of cavities and other mouth issues.
• Youth will reduce stress and anxiety.
• Youth will reduce the likelihood of sickness.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth and adults practice safe kitchen and cooking skills.
• Youth and adults practice healthy eating.
• Youth and adults make healthy at-home meals.
• Adults purchase fresh produce at Casey County Farmers Market.
• Participants will practice at-home food preservation.
• Youth will understand how to be mentally and physically healthy.
• Youth will know how to avoid nicotine.
• Youth will know to care for their teeth.
• Youth will know how to reduce the spread of germs.

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth and adults understand safe kitchen and cooking skills.
• Youth and adults understand MyPlate and the 5 food groups
• Adults understand where fresh and local produce can be purchased.
• Participants will understand how to preserve fruits and vegetables.
• Youth will learn aspects of living a healthy life.

Evaluation:

• Long-Term
  • Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming.
  • Number of youth who indicated they increased their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs.
  • Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming.
  • Number of youth who indicated they increased their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs.

• Intermediate

  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”

• Initial

  • Number of youth who indicated they learned about healthy food choices through 4-H Method of Evaluation
  • Number of youth who were educated on health and well-being through 4-H programs.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 3rd Grade

Project/Activity: In-School 4-H Clubs/Enrichment

Content/Curriculum: Building a Healthy Wealthy Future

Input: Extension Staff, Casey County Teachers and School System

Date: September - April

Audience: Producers/Clientele of the Casey County Farmers Market

Project/Activity: Promotion of nutritious food sources and healthy recipes

Content/Curriculum: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes, SNAP-Ed resources

Input: Extension Staff and Extension Specialists

Date: April - October

Audience: Casey County Youth

Project/Activity: Super Star Chef

Content/Curriculum: Super Star Chef Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff and Extension Specialists

Date: Summer

Audience: Casey County Students

Project/Activity: Nutritious Gardening Program

Content/Curriculum: SNAP, Plan Eat Move, KY Ready Set Grow

Input: Extension Staff and SNAP-Ed Asst

Date: School Year

Success Stories