According to the most recent community needs assessment conducted by Kentucky Cooperative Extension one of the top priorities of respondents in Carlisle County was to “Ensure individuals and families have access to affordable and nutritious food”.   Carlisle County 4-H Baking club was designed to help youth in the county establish basic baking skills, increase confidence in using recipes, using cookware, and encourage youth to try new healthy foods.  

At each of the baking club meetings the youth were allowed to pick from a few options what they would bake at the following meeting.  On one occasion the club decided to bake lasagna, an option vastly different from the usually suggested sweet treats.  The club utilized a recipe from the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program “Lightened up Lasagna” a recipe that calls for reduced sodium and low salt ingredients and incorporates chopped spinach into the recipe to encourage vegetable consumption in a subtle way.

After trying the dish some youths were impressed stating that they enjoyed it and could hardly taste the added spinach. Of course, some were still skeptical, but everyone eventually tried the recipe.  4-H clubs like this make small steps over time to promote healthy lifestyle choices