According to the Nutrition Education Program 2016 Annual Report for Butler County, in 2014 an estimated 2,596 Butler County Residents lived in poverty, of which 875 were children.  This is an 11.6% increase in childhood poverty since 2007.  The Center for Disease Control Data Indicators for 2013 show 33.2% of Butler County Residents were considered obese in representation of the country’s population.  These numbers are astounding, and clearly show a correlation between poverty and obesity in Butler County.

The Nutrition Education Program Assistant, the Butler County Boy’s and Girl’s Club, the Bear’s Den Summer Program (a 21st century after school program), and the Butler County Cooperative Extension Service, worked in conjunction to teach children the importance of adding healthy alternatives for snacks while increasing nutrition awareness.

The Nutrition Education Program Assistant taught a combined 139 children at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and the Bear’s Den Summer Program.  The lessons taught were a combination of Organwise and Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschoolers.  Over the course of the summer, each child was able to try new fruits such as plumots and dates.  Each child also participated in hands on snack preparation such as low fat yogurt parfaits and Magical Fruit Salad.  They used fresh fruit, low fat and whole grain cereal, fat free milk, and canned fruit in natural juices. 

 The Nutrition Education Program Assistant, and the Butler County Cooperative Extension Agency believe knowledge is the key to success and change.  At the end of the summer, 89 children completed the surveys showing a 64% improvement in their abilities to choose foods according to the Federal Dietary Recommendations or gain knowledge.  It is a continuous effort of the Nutrition Education Program to promote healthy choices in the children of Butler County, and help break the cycle of obesity linked to poverty.