According to Feeding Kentucky, hunger is an issue in every community across the Commonwealth. There are 700,000 Kentuckians who are food insecure — which means that 1 out of every 6 of our Kentucky neighbors do not always know if they will have enough food. The United Health Foundation’s 2019 report ranks Kentucky as one of the least healthy states in the nation. The study ranked the state No. 43 out of 50 states using five categories: behaviors, community and environment, public and health policies, clinical care, and health outcomes. Healthy bodies and minds require nutritious foods at every age. When people don’t have enough food or have to choose inexpensive foods with low nutritional value, it can seriously affect their health. Hunger affects mental health and increases risk of chronic diseases. Chronic disease then increases medical costs and reduces available resources for healthy food.

By working together, communities can help those struggling with hunger and nutrition insecurity. A complete educational package (Hunger in Kentucky: Know more, do more) was developed for use by Kentucky Extension Homemaker Clubs, 4-H Teen Clubs, and other community groups. The goal of the materials is to empower and mobilize community leaders to learn about, identify, and act on food insecurity issues in the local community. The purpose of reaching these individuals is to facilitate their ability to leverage their community capital toward increasing food security.

KYNEP professionals worked to develop The Hunger in Kentucky: Know more, do more curriculum package for use by County Extension Agents. It includes a facilitator’s guide, participant handout, slide presentation, 13 educational handouts, marketing materials, and evaluation pieces. Two virtual in-service trainings were held to introduce the materials to Cooperative Extension employees, and an in-person training was held at the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Annual Conference to introduce the materials to Extension Homemaker Leaders.

Counties began implementing Hunger in Kentucky: Know more, do more during the fall of 2021. Anecdotal reports include installation of little food pantries in the community that are supported by Kentucky Extension Homemaker members, as well as presentations to local government and community organizations to start the conversation about steps to address local food access.