The Pike County Cooperative Extension Service Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program entered into its fifth year of partnership with the Pike County Detention Center and WestCare to provide nutritional classes to female clients.

The My Plate curriculum was employed as residents learned how to prepare fresh, healthy foods using each of the food groups. They gained skills in meal planning, budgeting for food spending, food safety and proper exercise. Family health was emphasized as they learned how to provide healthy food for children and how exercise will improve the physical and emotional health of the entire family.

Ten clients entered the program with a 100 % graduation rate. One hundred percent showed improvement in food resource management practices, such as comparing prices when shopping and using a grocery list. One hundred percent showed improvement in nutrition practices, such as preparing food without salt and deciding on healthy food choices for their families. Ninety percent showed improvement in food safety practices, such as not allowing food to thaw at room temperature and refrigerating food within a safe time.

Female clients wrote, "Honestly, I'd never paid attention to food labels before, let alone read one. Now,not only will I pay attention, but when I read them I will understand what is in the food I eat," and Nutrition classes have taught me to be cautious of calories and cholesterol. I have learned healthier ways of eating for my children and me.