Success StoryHoliday Budgeting and Menu Planning
Holiday Budgeting and Menu Planning
Author: Jordan Crain
Planning Unit: Barren County CES
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Plan of Work: Improving Nutrition of Limited Resource Kentuckians
Outcome: Initial Outcome
With the rise in food costs and the continuation of food shortages, individuals expressed concerns on how they would be affected during Holiday gatherings. Ahead of the Holiday Season, the Barren County Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, in collaboration with the Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Public Library Adult Services Manager, worked to offer an informative class on Holiday Budgeting and Menu Planning. During the class, participants were given Take Home Packets that included a variety of information to help them when menu planning and grocery shopping. Included in the group discussion and in the packet was information and tips on how to coupon, how to find the best buy when shopping, how to use leftovers to ensure little waste and ideas on how to change up traditions. It was discussed by the agent that at times, it is acceptable to change up traditions. For example, a lot of families feel that dinners have to include meat(s) and several side dishes. However, a nice soup with breads and a few toppings can also be made at a lower cost and has the ability to feed several. It was also suggested that a "potluck" style meal could be considered to help divide up the cost. Various low-cost recipes were available for participants to take. After the program, one hundred percent of participants reported that they gained at least one helpful/practical idea or tip that they could use to help save money going into the Holiday Season. Seventy five percent indicated that they were considering changing up their traditional menu with more budget friendly options. Finally, all participants expressed that they would be mindful in trying to reduce the amount of waste and learned ways to increase their creativity when it comes to using leftovers.
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