Many older adults are not getting the proper nutrition for a balanced diet for their age. They are often misled by food labels claiming to be healthy. Confusing language such as "low-carb," "low-sodium" or "no sugar," all attribute to not getting the necessary nutrients they need. According to Julie N. Zimmerman and Amy Koestelic, in their program, Kentucky by the Numbers, "[t]he population ages 65 and over is growing. In Kentucky between 2010 and 2020, the number of people ages 65 and over increased from 578,227 to 767,159 persons moving from 13.3% to 17.0% of the state’s population. In 2023, that number grew even more to 806,757 persons.  While many factors contribute to this increase in the older population, demographically the aging of the baby boom generation is playing an important role as the first of that generation began turning 65 years old in 2011."

Woodford's population that are 65-years old and over attribute for 21.4% of the total population (Zimmerman and Koestelic, 2023). To help older adults make more informed decisions on what they purchase at their local grocery store, the Woodford County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, Hannah Thornsberry, conducted a one-session program called Food Label Fundamentals at the Woodford County Senior Center on February 24, 2025.

Many of the participants at the Woodford County Senior Center still live on their own or with a spouse or child. They are not in an assisted living facility which means they still purchase their own groceries. All seven participants were 65-years of age or over. Six of the participants, 85.7%, were White. One participant, 14.3%, was Black. Four participants, 57%, of the participants were female, and three, 42.9%, were male.

100% (7/7) of the participants stated they can identify the purpose of a food label as a result of the program.

85.7% (6/7) of the participants stated they can define nutrient density as a result of the program.

100% (7/7) of the participants stated they can explain how to use a food label to make informed choices as a result of the program.

85.7% (6/7) of the participants stated they plan to use a food label to make informed choices as a result of the program.

85.7% (6/7) of the participants stated they plan to use a food label to compare similar items to identify the more nutrient-dense option as a result of the program.

71.4% (5/7) strongly agreed that the subject matter was timely for them; 28.6% (2/7) agreed.

57.1% (4/7) strongly agreed that the information was practical to them; 42.9% (3/7) agreed.

57.1% (4/7) strongly agreed that this was a very educational program; 42.9% (3/7) agreed.

The following are the most significant things that participants said they would apply to their life from this program:

"Reading labels better!"

"I need to gain weight."

"I learned a whole lot from this program."

"Cholesterol is important."

"There are signs and printed information on my food that tell me about it."