Author: Whitney Paige Alexander
Planning Unit: Logan County CES
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
During the year 2020 most families spent more time together at home due to the global pandemic and restrictions. With restaurants staying closed to indoor dining, carryout only option and sparse shelves at the grocery stores at times, families had to become creative with family time and meals. According to American Health Rankings Kentucky had an unemployment rate of 4.9 % and poverty rate of 16.2 % in 2020.
The Logan County Extension office joined efforts together from Family & Consumer Science, 4H Youth Leadership, Agriculture and Nutrition Education Program to reach families with young children. There were a total of thirty six families that enrolled the “Homemade for the Holidays” grab and go kits. Families were signed up and then contacted when kits were available for them to pick up. The “Homemade for the Holidays” kits ran from October-December.
The Logan County Extension office created a booklet that contained recipes, facts, fun family time ideas and agriculture information. The Nutrition Education Program Assistant chose recipes for the booklet that was budget, family and time friendly while being nutritious. She tried to choose recipes that would go well with the school back pack lunch program that children were receiving during the time of the pandemic. The grab and go kits were a great success with the families by encouraging them to spend time together and by cooking together to try new foods. The kits were such a success for young children families that the Logan County Extension Office decided to do it annually to incorporate healthy families at home.
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