In 2019 the Pike County Family & Consumer Sciences Extension program realized the need to reach clientele with educational materials using creative methods. Because face-to-face programs were prohibited due to Covid-19 infections, a new strategy was born from brainstorming with FCS and CEC leadership teams. Kentucky’s rate of chronic disease and overweight are above the national average. One important way to help people improve their health is through education about nutritious meals and in helping them gain confidence in cooking at home for their families. 

The Pike County Recipe Box program was a year-long program began in 2021 as a response to the need for creative nutrition resource for clientele who were unable to attend in-person instruction. Many program participants had limited transportation, or were living on limited resources. The Recipe Box was advertised to the general public and extension clientele through  newsletters and extensive social media account sharing. Those who registered were ‘enrolled’ in a free monthly mailing of Plate It Up recipe card seasonal selections, nutrition tidbits, SNAP resources, small reinforcement items to use while cooking (potholders, etc), the NEP nutrition calendar and other related items. Monthly surveys were sent via Qualtrics to evaluate participants engagement with the project, use of the recipes provided and the benefits received. In all, over 75 participants enrolled in the Recipe Box program and over half saw it through to its completion.

Qualtrics surveys revealed that 90% of participants are likely to increase the number of meals prepared at home. They also reported understanding that the foods prepared by them at home can have a positive influence on health. Over 80% of respondents reported an increased understanding of the uses of fruits and vegetables in new recipes. Individual evaluations revealed that Recipe Box participants intended to share information learned with other family and community members. One reported, they felt the program was most beneficial in helping them plan nutritious meals because they were ‘not good at winging it’ on their own. Another participant reported that Recipe Box helped them be ‘more adventurous and find ways to prepare foods I thought I didn’t like.”