Describe the Issue or Situation.According to Kentucky by the Numbers about 21% of the population in Muhlenberg county is over the age of 65.  21.3% of the senior adults in Muhlenberg report they are in poor or fair health, 37% of the group were diagnosed with hypertension and 11% diagnosed with diabetes.   To address this issue the Muhlenberg County Nutrition Education Program partnered with the Muhlenberg County Senior Citizens center to offer Healthy Choices for Everybody.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The Muhlenberg County Senior Citizens offers healthy meals at lunchtime daily to seniors who attend the center. About 50 senior citizens attend the center daily for lunch, often saving a part of their lunch to enjoy at home for their evening meal, with no regards to food safety, a concern for the director of the Senior Center.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.The NEP program assistant taught seven Healthy Choices for Everybody lessons to the senior adults at the senior center.  Twenty-three adults completed the pre and post evaluations.  

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.

As a result of the post evaluations 100% of the participants made an improvement in one or more of the core areas on the post evaluation.  Most importantly, addressing the director’s main concern, food safety 92% of the participants made an improvement in food safety and handling, 67% showed an increase in their use of food thermometers to check internal temperatures.

One participant shared, “My food quality has improved since I started to use a food thermometer, I no longer overcook my foods.”  The group enjoyed working together to prepare new dishes and stated they looked forward to trying all of the new recipes.