Providing education in nutrition and healthy eating has long been a hallmark of Extension programming, and nutrition education is needed now more than any time in our history as we work to counter the negative effects of nutrition-related concerns.

Americans currently possess drastically different cooking and eating practices compared with previous generations. In fact, the percentage of the food budget spent on away-from-home food has been gradually increasing since the mid-1970s, and today Americans spend approximately 49% of their food budget and take in 32% of their calories on away-from-home foods (USDA, 2007). Less cooking at home and more eating out means nutrition is most likely compromised because away-from-home foods usually contain less fruits, vegetables, and milk while supplying more saturated fat and calories (Keystone, 2006).

Boyd County 4-H recognized the need for nutritional education and partnered with Ashland Middle School to teach a three week series of nutrition and cooking classes.  These classes totaled 202 students comprised of 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders. This series consisted of nutrition lessons and hands on cooking sessions at the school. Pre- and post-knowledge was collected from the students to measure changes in behavior and nutrition knowledge.  These were written quizzes.

Of the 202 participants, 100% had increased knowledge of nutritional terms from the beginning of the club sessions. A total of 37 students reported that they had prepared two or more of the recipes for their families and had dinner at home. The most popular recipe prepared at home was the chicken enchiladas/tacos with the baked chicken nuggets a close second place.  The Boyd County 4-H Agent actually had parents contact her because their child had lost his/her recipe and needed a copy because they were making dinner again!

The offering of hands-on cooking and tasting demonstrations appears to be far more encouraging to tweens to cook and eat at home! Ashland Middle School health teacher plans to schedule another series with Boyd County 4-H next school year.