According to CEDIK, Edmonson County, KY has an obesity rate of 34%, and 15% of Edmonson County residents lack adequate access to food. The Edmonson County SNAP-Ed Assistant collaborated with the Edmonson County Senior Center during 2017 to deliver the nutrition program 16 adult clients who have limited resources. 88% of these adults were over 60 years of age, and the lessons were conduction 100% in a group setting at the Edmonson County Senior Center. Among these adults there were 5 men who graduated the program after meeting all educational requirements. 

The Edmonson County SNAP-Ed Assistant conducted one lesson per month at the Edmonson County Senior Center where each lesson consisted of a nutritional component, a food demonstration, recipe tasting, and the clients received an incentive item for their participation. The topics varied each time, but included MyPlate, understanding the limits for foods high in sugar, sodium, and fat, understanding food labels, the importance of food safety, and various other nutrition related topics.

The 16 participants at the Edmonson County Senior Center who graduated from the Nutrition Education Program had 100% positive change in any food group. 78% of participants also showed improvement in Resource Management Practices. 69% of participants showed improvement in Food Safety Practices, and 76% of participants showed improvement in Nutrition Practices. 

One participant said, “I am very thankful that I was able to receive the information that the Edmonson County SNAP-Ed Assistant provided each month because I was able to change my eating habits for the long term.” Another participant said, “I am a diabetic and I struggle with learning what I can and cannot eat, and the SNAP-Ed Assistant was able to provide me with information that was able to get me started in the right direction with the help of my physician.”