Grant County KY has an adult obesity rate of 35.6%.  Seniors were experiencing additional struggles due to isolation from staying home because of the COVID pandemic. The Grant County Nutrition Education Program, and the Meadowview Housing Authority collaborated to offer a series of virtual classes using the Healthy Choices Curriculum.   Classes were offered weekly, In-person at the Housing Authority office.  The SNAP-Ed assistant offered one class each week from the Healthy Choices Curriculum.  Classes included My Plate, Know the Limits, Labels, Food Safety, Breakfast, Budget, Meal Planning, and Cooking is Easy.  Along with the lessons, instructional videos on cooking and knife skills were included.  “How to” videos with budget friendly recipes were provided from University of Kentucky PlanEatMove.com and ChooseMyPlate.gov websites.  Physical activity tips were shared with each class.  The program was offered entirely In-person for the first time since COVID closures.  Participates were physically distanced with masks and videos were used instead of In-person demonstrations due to COVID restrictions.  

Since the classes were offered In-person, most seniors had not attended any In-person events in at least a year.   As a result of the class, 100% of the eight participants improved their diet including 50% who improved in the area of food safety.  Food safety improved with 75% using a meat thermometer more often.  Also, 63% thawed foods at room temperatures less often. One client stated, “I love trying the new recipes, I’ve been tired of cooking the same things.”  Another participant stated “it is good to see our neighbors again, I feel like I’m part of society again.”  Clients were excited to have the opportunity to attend a free class in-person.  As a result of the class, one participant who had relatives with farms, had the farmers bring in surplus vegetables and eggs to share with the participants at no cost.   Also, seniors were linked with local food distribution sites for additional needed food resources.  Some also were reapplying for SNAP benefits when they found out that they could receive additional needed food benefits due to the state of emergency in Kentucky due to the pandemic.