Success StoryKeeping Produce Popular in Kentucky Schools



Keeping Produce Popular in Kentucky Schools

Author: Jacqui Denegri

Planning Unit: Fayette County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

According to a 2011 National Academy of Sciences report, while needing 2 cups offiuit and 3 cups of vegetables per day to meet the United States Department of Agriculture's recommended dietary guidelines, the majority of teenagers get less than half of that daily goal. Working to reverse this trend is the Nutrition Education Program. In a partnership between the Fayette County Extension Office and Fayette County Public Schools MyPlate cuniculum was delivered to students at Herny Clay High School. Over a series of seven lessons, students not only learned the different food groups and their recommended servings, but also how to incorporate that knowledge into meal planning. Students were able to test this knowledge by cooking their own meals in class. 

To further test their application of the class material evaluations were administered both at the beginning and the end of the program. A review of the final evaluation shows a 100% improvement in diet quality among participants. Furthermore, 78% of students who took the class increased their vegetable consumption outside of class while another 50% reported eating more fruits than they had prior to their lessons. The participants in these lessons learned more than federal guidelines, they were also taught how to make healthier life choices.






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