According to Feeding America.org, 82% of Butler County residents fall at or below the 200% poverty threshold. Interventions such as participation in food assistance programs can help reduce food insecurity and improve overall health. The Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with a local food assistance program, The Morgantown Mission, to provide education to this clientele.

Twelve individuals completed the Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum. In each class a budget friendly NEP recipe was demonstrated and sampled.  The Morgantown Mission provided each client with the ingredients to prepare the recipe at home resulting in 92% showing improvement in one or more food resource management practices. Food Safety was taught with concentration on safe practices for thawing and cooking a turkey for the holidays. Upon completion each client was presented a turkey from The Morgantown Mission.  42% reported thawing frozen food at room temperature less often and 58% use a meat thermometer more often.

These program indicators are the results of a successful partnership between the Butler County Nutrition Education Program, The Butler County Cooperative Extension Service and The Morgantown Mission.