In 2022 the senior program assistant for the Nutrition Education Program for Fayette County reached out to the Hope Center, a comprehensive addiction treatment program that offers detox, shelter, and long-term rehabilitation to individuals facing addiction. Together they offered nutrition education programming for parents in recovery who had recently completed an in-patient rehabilitation program. Participants met weekly with the agent and completed the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum covering topics such as meal planning, food resource management and following the United States Department of Agricultures “My Plate” guidelines. 

    According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are four pillars to successful long-term recovery. The first two are “ensuring long term health” and “creating a stable home life”. Both of these goals are also pillars of the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum. Participants’ progress were measured by a series of evaluations administered at the beginning and the end of the course. Upon completion of the course, 24 out of 26 participants (92%) had improved in one or more food resource management practices. This list includes cooking meals at home, budgeting, meal planning and keeping a food inventory. These skills will have an immediate effect on their lives, making their food dollars go further and increasing the nutritional value of their diet as they cook at home in place of dining out. Creating these healthy habits this early into their recovery provides a solid foundation for them to continue building their new lives.