The Powell County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Assistant Senior was granted the opportunity to provide continuous nutrition education classes via zoom to Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s RISE (Reintegrating Individuals Successful Everyday) program participants. The RISE program provides second chance opportunities to individuals who have been incarcerated, are in recovery, halfway houses, etc. RISE participants complete the RISE two-week program that covers various topics that pertain to basic life necessities: banking, technology, health and nutrition, and interviewing skills to name a few.  

During the two-week RISE program, participants completed four nutrition education zoom classes which covered the Healthy Choices for Every Body seven core lessons: MyPlate for Everybody, Know the Limits, Meal Planning, Reading Labels, Eating Better on a Budget, Keep Foods Safe, and Breakfast for Everybody. Participants also had nutrition homework that coincided, and reinforced, the lessons. 100% of the 32 participants reported a positive change in any food group, and 63% saw an improvement in diet quality. 70% improved their food resource management skills while 55% reported improvement in food safety knowledge. 

During one of the zoom classes, one of the Goodwill RISE participants commented, “I didn’t realize that different fruits and vegetables supplied different vitamins and nutrients for our bodies and that is why we need to have a variety each day.” She also stated, “I have become more aware of the nutrition facts label listed on food when grocery shopping” and that “the lessons taught us a lot about storing our food, cleaning foods, and eating the right amounts from each of the five food groups.”