Describe the Issue or Situation. 90% of adults in Kentucky do not consume the recommended daily serving of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Therefore, we believe that children, as well, do not eat the recommended daily serving of fresh fruit and vegetables.  There are very few grocery stores in Lewis County.  Now that Dollar General has limited fruit/veggies, families can purchase these items.  Many families have no mode of transportation in Lewis County and often live miles and miles from a store with these foods.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). All areas of our extension office (FCS, Ag & 4-H) partner with Kid's Bucks. We are so fortunate to have Kentucky Farm Bureau (Lewis County Office) as the ultimate partner with our Kid's Bucks Program ($1200).  They sponsor the amount of "bucks" we give to the children once they have listened to a nutritional lesson and participated in physical activity.  Most every child is incredibly excited to do the activities to be rewarded the paper money to spend.  The children are encouraged to visit the vendors stations to see what fruits and/or vegetables are available and to their liking.  The children will occasionally, pick a food they would not typically have at home. This year, gardens were adversely affected by early drought, then later scorching temperatures making our program be later in the summer.  The last two days of Farmer's Market, we offered Double Bucks to our audience. 

We provide samples of Kentucky Proud (SNAP approved) to the children and accompanying adults and recipe cards to the adults for them to prepare at home. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.  We served 5 children under 4 years of age and 152 of age 4 - 17. We had no black or Hispanic children.  

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach. 

Children tell us that they learn to try and enjoy new foods in the fruits/vegetable category.  They are much more willing to try foods they once did not eat while eating school lunches.  It is fun to walk around Farmer's Market with the children and see what produce they pick and engage in conversation with them about who and how the food is going to be prepared.  The adults are usually as interested as the children which makes it even more conversational.  Overall, we feel, this is a great program!