Success StoryAddressing Food Insecurity Through Education: The Impact of Nutrition Programming at Morgantown Mission Food Pantry
Addressing Food Insecurity Through Education: The Impact of Nutrition Programming at Morgantown Mission Food Pantry
Author: Michele Moore
Planning Unit: Butler County CES
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Kentucky, particularly in rural communities where poverty and limited access to nutritious food create barriers to health and well-being. According to Feeding America's 2023 Map the Meal Gap report, 2,210 people are food insecure in Butler County representing 17.8% of the population. This underscores a widespread need for strategies to ensure families not only have food but also the knowledge to use it effectively. In response, a partnership between the Butler County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) and Morgantown Mission Food Pantry integrated nutrition education directly into food assistance services. This initiative delivered seven lessons, each including cooking demonstrations and the ingredients were provided by the Food Pantry for participants to have a meal. The NEP Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum and recipes teaches individuals to make healthier and more informed choices. The program’s impact was evaluated through entry and exit surveys completed by eight participants. Results were overwhelmingly positive: 100% of participants demonstrated improvement in diet quality, and food resource management. Furthermore, 75% reported increased physical activity behaviors, and 63% showed measurable improvement in food safety practices. These results indicate that integrating education with food assistance can lead to sustainable behavior change. The success of this program illustrates how nutrition education can be a vital part of addressing food insecurity in Butler County, KY. The collaboration between Butler County NEP and Morgantown Mission Food Pantry represents a practical and impactful approach to hunger relief offering a path toward improved health and lasting change.
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