Karen Kummer/SNAP-Ed

September 27, 2018

Success Story

Title: Enhance the quality of life with fruits & veggies

Major Program: 2066 – Accessing Nutritious Foods (General)

Outcome Type: Intermediate

An adult group at a rehabilitation facility participated in a seven week program using the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum. The lessons were presented by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Assistant through the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service. The participants are recovering from different types of addictions and are not always on the right track to eating correctly.

The classes opened their eyes as to why it is so important for them to make half their plate fruits and vegetables due to the vitamins and nutrients that are in fruits and vegetables. After talking with several of the participants, they expressed that they don’t eat many fruits and vegetables. At each lesson they prepared food from the Healthy Choice curriculum which contained different vegetables or fruits included in the recipe. Some mentioned that they did not initially think they liked the vegetable used for the recipe, but after they had tried it, they realized they liked it.

The recipes used in the classes introduced them to vegetables and fruits they had not tried before. As a result, 76% of the participants improved with eating more fruit each day and also 64% have improved in eating more dark green vegetables each week.   Improvement was also seen in comparing food prices more often and planning meals before shopping. After completing the classes, the participants plan to feed themselves and their family’s healthier meals while staying within a budget.