According to DataUSA in 2021 14% of the population in Knox County was dealing with severe housing problems.

With economic woes and increasing homelessness, individuals are struggling with food insecurity and insufficiency. KCEOC (Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council) Emergency Support Center partnered with the Bell County SNAP-Ed Assistant to implement the Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum bi-weekly to a group of 15 families at the center. Upon entry less than 20% of participants ate fresh fruits and vegetables, cooked their own meals, and budgeted enough money to last throughout the month. During the program, participants were educated on how to stretch their food dollars by planning more nutritious meals, making menus, writing out shopping lists and sticking to them when shopping, checking for sale items, comparing food items to determine the better buys, using leftovers in meal planning, and making more meals at the center. After the competition of the program 100% of the participants showed improvement in cooking dinner at home, 100% of participants compare prices at different stores to save money, 100% of the participants plan meals and use shopping list.

One participant stated “all I would eat is fast food or a microwave meal every day. The convenience of the food I was eating was not only expensive but not healthy either. Now since you taught us how to budget and plan meals, I can eat healthier and my money last longer.”