Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Planning Unit: Spencer County CES
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
Plan of Work: Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Due to supply chain issues with grocery stores and people wanting to know what goes into the food they consume and ways to reduce added fat, sugar and salt into their diet. The Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent collaborated with Henry County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent to offer a Food Preservation Workshop in July 2022 with a total of 23 participants. Due to the program, 100 percent of participants identified all 4 research-based methods of home food preservation. 100 percent of participants identified foods that can be easily dehydrated. 100 percent of participants accurately prepared food products using appropriate methods of dehydration to preserve foods. 100 percent identified signs of spoilage in home dried foods. Due to the interest in an evening program a second program on September 19, 2022, was provided with a total of 12 participants. Because of the program, 100 percent of participants identified all 4 research-based methods of home food preservation. 100 percent of participants identified foods that can be easily dehydrated. 100 percent of participants accurately prepared food products using appropriate methods of dehydration to preserve foods. 100 percent identified signs of spoilage in home dried foods. As a result of the popularity of the program, future food preservation classes will be offered throughout both of our communities. Since the programs were taught after the growing season a follow-up evaluation will be planned for in 2023 to reveal the percent of participants who utilized the research-based method of dehydration and home canning to safely preserve harvested foods from home gardens.
Spencer County, with a population of 18,500+ from to the 2017 United States Census Bureau, continues... Read More
Many Americans only have a minimal amount of extra time, this is the same for Spencer County Residen... Read More