According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 46.2% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily and 24.9% of adults reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily. The Magoffin County Nutrition Education Program Assistant Senior partnered with the Family and Consumer Science Educator and Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator to provide a Food Preservation demonstration class through the Magoffin County Extension Office. During the class the Family and Consumer Science Educator address food insecurity for families and best canning and food preservation practices.   The Grow Appalachia program has successfully created opportunities for fresh produce to be grown and used by families in the program.  Both Extension Educators and SNAP-Ed assistant saw the need to provide participants with the knowledge and skills of preserving harvested produce for later use. The Food Preservation classes were open to the Grow Appalachia participants and the public.   participants took part in the class which included pressure canning, water bath canning.  An emphasis on food preparation, food safety and proper equipment was also addressed.
As a result of the Food Preservation Class, 100% of the participants reported they had learned something new; and 50% of the participants stated they had been doing at least one or more incorrect practices. This Class was a huge success!