Obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some malignancies are only few of the chronic conditions that may benefit from a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Only 12.2% of American adults eat the daily required quantity of fruit, and only 9.3% fulfill the vegetable recommendation (CDC, 2018). Although 8.0% of adults in the United States eat the recommended amount of fruit each day, just 6.3% of adults in Kentucky do the same (CDC, 2018). In light of these numbers, the Livingston County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent has proposed a mail recipe club for the years 2022 and 2023, featuring Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes and other Extension-supported recipes, with the goal of increasing the consumption of locally produced fruits and vegetables throughout the state of Kentucky.

Over 15 people are members of the club, and they receive up to 10 recipes each month by email and U.S. mail. Those who try the recipe are also urged to post photos and comments online.

Each program month concludes with a short survey for participants to fill out and submit with their thoughts. Seventy-five percent have made at least one of the recipes supplied, the same percentage said they would make the same recipe again, 75 percent said they were more inclined to buy a fruit or vegetable because of the club, and 82 percent said they ate more fruits and vegetables because of the club. Sixty-seven percent of the participants said they picked up a new technique or skill while cooking the recipes, on top of trying new dishes and eating more fruits and vegetables.