Locally grown produce can provide an important access point for fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet. However, it is estimated that only 8.8% of Kentucky adults meet the recommended amounts of fruits each day and only 5.6% meet recommendations for vegetables (CDC, 2019).

In response to these concerning statistics, the Area Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences creatively used the Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud (PIUKP) program to encourage the consumption of locally (and personally) produced fruits and vegetables across the Mammoth Cave Area. The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the Small Farms Agent to offer Plate It Up! Grow Bag events during the summer months. Each event provided an opportunity for participants to learn about fresh produce, sample a PIUKP recipe and receive its recipe card in hopes of improving their food choices. Participants were then able to learn about growing their own produce in container garden and plant the commodity featured in the PIUKP recipe in their own grow bag to take home.

195 individuals participated in the events representing a mix of racial, ethnic, age and gender groups. In a post-event survey 65% of participants indicated that they were more likely to buy or harvest their own produce and 78% of participants indicated that they would increase their fruit and vegetable consumption as a result of attending the event. Additionally, 19 youth participants reported that they were trying an ingredient for the first time and would continue to try new foods.