According to the United States Census Bureau there are 18,623 households in Floyd County, KY with an average of 2.37 persons living in the each household. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Kentucky is below the national average of fruit and vegetable consumption among youth. The Center for Disease Control states that adults in Kentucky are also below average of the national fruit and vegetable consumption. Studies have shown that families and couples who cook and eat together have reported to try new foods, eat healthier, and improved relationships (Utter & Denny, 2016).

In 2019, the Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences program developed a program called “Dinner for Two.” This was a four-week program targeted towards couples and families within the county and offered a free hands-on learning experience. It was encouraged that individuals bring a spouse, partner, relative, or friend to the program to learn how to cook together as a team. Program.

In 2021, the Family & Consumer Sciences Program continued the Dinner for Two program, but virtually with the same format as in person. The Family & Consumer Science Agent created a Facebook group where nutrition information was posted along with the recipe, weekly polls where participants could vote on the next week’s recipe, and the pre-recorded video.

In 2022, the program continued virtually by popular demand. The 2022 program kept the same program platform as 2021, but monthly instead of weekly. The Facebook group includes nutrition information, along with the recipe, monthly polls where participants can vote on the next month’s recipe, and the pre-recorded video. The Family & Consumer Science Agent demonstrates knife skills and how to prepare each recipe throughout the program. Recipes for each program are pulled from University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service sources such as the Plate it Up! KY Proud and the Nutrition Education The pre-recorded video included the Floyd County Family & Consumer Science Agent and her husband. They both demonstrate proper cooking techniques, food safety, and how to cook together as a team. Dinner kits are available for participants to pick up at the Floyd County Extension Office and include the recipe, nutrition information, cooking incentives, and all the major ingredients to the recipe. This way the participants can participate in the hands-on cooking experience as before, but from their homes.

In 2023, the Floyd County Family & Consumer Science Program did a type of hybrid program. Some programs were in-person and the rest were on the same platform as 2022 and 2021 due to construction from flooding at the office. A total of 21 people attended the in-person program and stated that it was nice to have something to do on a Friday night in January and they had learn so much such as how to properly cut an onion, hold a chef knife and more.  

This has been the strongest growing program with the Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences program. This program has reached over 200  individuals directly through the program kits over the years and over 2000 indirectly. Participants have been very engaging through the Facebook group and has posted pictures of the meals they have prepared at home and comments such as:

“First Dinner for Two was a huge hit! Thank you for this enjoyable activity! We even had enough leftover for Lunch!”

“We really enjoy trying the different recipes”
 Comment reply: “we do too. We’ve been introduced to and enjoyed things we never would have tried without this program.”
 Comment reply: “We have too. And have several we eat regularly at home”

Utter, J., & Denny, S. (2016). Supporting Families to Cook at Home and Eat Together: Findings From a Feasibility Study. J Nutr Educ Behav, 48(10), 716-722 e711. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27527909. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2016.07.001