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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2025 - Jun 30, 2026


Success StoryPlanning Budget Friendly Menus



Planning Budget Friendly Menus

Author: Sandra Kennedy

Planning Unit: Clark County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome


 

Using resources for planning your menus each week has many advantages.

As we do our planning for the weeks ahead let’s focus on the cost. With children it may look more stressful due to their individual likes and dislikes.

 

A mother of two had struggles with planning meals her children would enjoy, they didn’t like anything, so she attempted to try them on new foods.

 

She contacted the Clark Extension Office to find resources and ways to help. Our Senior Program Assistant gave Menu Planners, Shopping Lists, and handout for Healthy Choices for Every Body Meal Planning.

 

After menus were planned, we reviewed foods written, found that Veggies and Fruits were missing from their diets because of cost.  We carefully choose favorite veggies and fruits to add to the menu that would balance out the meal but not increase their spending at the grocery store.

 

After several weeks, the mother informed the assistant after using the Menu Planner the children are adding more fruit and veggies on their plate with a combination of fresh, frozen, and canned saving on their budget.