This story is about husbands and wives in recovery at a live in facility. These individuals live in a food desert area, with very little or no access to fresh fruits and vegetables.  Some have been eating a lot of salty, fatty snacks, fast foods and sugary drinks.

The coordinator of this facility, the assistant from the Expanded Nutrition Education Program, from the Jefferson County Extension Services collaborated on meeting every Wednesday for one (1 ) hour at this facility to teach a class.  The clients were taught the seven (7) required lessons from Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum. The lessons were as follows: My Plate, Keeping food Safe, Know your Limits, Reading Labels, Eating Better on a Budget, Planning Meals and Breakfast Made Easy for Every Body.  During these classes the clients were given, reviewed informational handouts, recipes and participated in preparing healthy recipes for tasting. They participated in making healthy plates with food models, Ice breakers. correct meat thermometer usage, proper handwashing, reading recipes, reading labels, measuring ingredients, proper knife usage, cutting fruits, vegetables, meats.  Limiting salts, fats and sugars and importance of reducing sodas,  sugary drinks, serving sizes, low fat dairy products and switching to half of grains to whole. 

One of the men in the class was very happy with what he learned and how it helped him in feeding his young son.  He was really engaging and interested in the class.  

After completing the required lessons, and exit forms, the clients were happy to receive the completion certificate, bag with reinforcement cooking items.  They were all eager to get home to use these items in preparing their family meals.