Eating more fruits and vegetables is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention. Despite the importance of eating more produce, it is also one of the most difficult eating behaviors to change. It has been reported that cooking more meals at home is related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. 

A social marketing program to promote more healthy, home-cooked family meals, Cook Together, Eat Together, was offered at the Morgan County Cooperative Extension Service with 8 adult and 12 youth participants. This group was a group of home school Moms and youth in a rural setting, youth ranged in ages 3 - 16, with varied skills in food preparation. 

As a result of the program, 92% of participants reported eating more healthy foods such as whole fruits and/or brightly colored vegetables, while 75% prepared more healthy home­cooked meals. In addition, 61% adopted one or more practices to reduce food shopping costs associated with home-cooked meals such as comparing prices, planning meals, and making shopping lists. 

Over the long term, these cooking and eating behavior changes may lead to sustainable changes in cooking and eating norms in a community. As demonstrated by Cook Together, Eat Together, social marketing is a powerful tool to promote changes for the public good. 

One Mom reported her daughters, "actually trying new foods and eating a better variety."  All youth reported gaining skills and knowledge.  Some of their favorite topics included:  knife skills ("learning less cuts with a sharp knife, than a dull one").  One adult stated:  I have learned to saute' vegetables to enhance flavor in soups, a grandmother reported, "I have been cooking for 50 years and have learned so much today."