Basic Food Preservation

By Angelia Swihart

According to Kentucky County Health Rankings from 2021, 10% of the population of Hancock County is food insecure; meaning that 10% of the people in Hancock County lack adequate access to food.  Health care rankings also state that Breathitt County adult citizens have one of the highest diabetic rates in Kentucky.  It is imperative that the Breathitt County population have access to foods and optimally, nutritious foods, that will benefit their overall health. 

Hancock County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Angelia Swihart, hosted a Basic Food Preservation workshop that taught participants about selecting and preserving nutritious foods, processes, and equipment to preserve foods.  The idea of the program was to educate the audience about selecting healthy foods, educate the audience about securing a food supply, and basic equipment and processes to preserve home grown food.  

11 Hancock County adults attended the Food Preservation Basics workshop where they practiced selecting and preserving various fruits and vegetables. Each participant increased their knowledge of food selection and preservation; indicated using a pre/post evaluation.

This was an initial Basic Food Preservation Workshop; more workshops will follow and then follow-up surveys will be done to determine skills gained and used to reduce food insecurity and better health choices made by families.  

The Food Preservation Basics workshop was a great tool to help teach and encourage adults to make healthy food selections and to help adults have access to nutritious foods; thus, impacting food insecurity in Hancock County.

More than 10% of Americans experienced a lack of regular access to affordable and nutritious food in 2021, according to data from Feeding America. Food insecurity is more prevalent in rural areas than in metro areas and disproportionately affects Black and Latino households. Regionally, the highest food insecurity rate can be found in the South (11.4%). Food insecurity has far-reaching implications, from chronic health issues to an individual’s ability to finish schooling.

Stacker compiled food insecurity rates in Hancock County using data from Feeding America. Food insecurity statistics are as of 2021.

Hancock County food insecurity by the numbers
 - Insecurity rate: 10.4%
 - Insecure population: 940 people
 - Cost per meal: $3.34
 - Annual food budget shortfall: $555,000

Source: Food Insecurity Rates in Hancock County, KY | Stacker