Gallatin County has a population of 8763 people per the 7/1/22 U.S. Census. The median household income is much lower than the national average and many of our families live below the poverty line. Also, all four of the schools in our district receive 100% free and reduced breakfasts and lunches. All of which paints a picture of need. Poverty, health, and nutrition go hand in hand with that.  A “Spirit of Public Health” grant of $5000 was written and received by the Gallatin County Public Schools.  This community health improvement plan has a focus on obesity and overweight rates.

There are several  community partners involved which include Gallatin County Family Resource Center, Gallatin County Community Early Childhood Council, Gallatin County’s Littlest Learners, Gallatin County KY Extension Office, and Gallatin County KY 4-H. With these community partners we will be able to target every Gallatin County resident by age. It is our hope that as many people in our community as possible will be involved with these programs.

By providing these programs and classes we will build a sense of community and trust within populations that are not typically heard.   Our youngest children will be given the confidence of healthy food choices and life skills which will empower them to take their health and future in their own hands.  Helping young and single parents build confidence and skills within the kitchen will empower them to know they are providing healthy meals for their families.  Helping Senior Citizens access the appropriate means of nutrition and teaching them how to use the items provided for them in a healthy and budget conscious manner will empower them to take charge in other areas of their life as well.   

In only three months, there has been significant success with our first and immediate outcome which was to engage out community in participating in our programs. We have had direct and indirect impacts. We measured direct impacts as people that attended one of our classes, and indirect impacts were measure by adding two additional people that would be impacted by the things learned from the original person. For example; one child attends a cooking class, and then shares the info they learned with a sibling, and a parent. Thus, the sibling and parent are our indirect impacts. Since the beginning of January till the end of march we have had 1900 direct impacts and 3820 indirect impacts, bring our grand total of impacts to  5720 people.