Fruits and Vegetables contribute important nutrients for the human body. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the average Kentuckian only eats vegetables one time per day. The United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines recommends an average of 2 ½ cups from the vegetable group per day.  

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Assistant in Rockcastle County, KY partnered with the local Farmer’s Market and Senior Citizens Center to encourage participants to buy and consume more fruits and vegetables. A five month series from Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum was taught to senior citizens to help them identify fresh produce and observe recipes that they could duplicate.

Participants were able to experiment with several fresh produce and prepare healthy recipes. One food demonstration was conducted with the Crunchy Hawaiian Chicken Wraps. This recipes contains broccoli, carrots, spinach, and pineapples. One participant stated, “I hate broccoli, carrots, and spinach. I am not eating that.” After reluctantly trying the wraps the participants stated, “I love these wraps, the vegetables are good like this.” As a result of the class, 92.9% of the participants made an improvement in the nutritional quality of their diet.

Crunchy Hawaiian Chicken Wraps turned a veggie hater into a veggie lover. Veggies for the win!