According to CNN, Americans spend more than 40% of their food budget on meals outside the home. More and more families are spending less and less time together. Eating as a family has declined and so has cooking together as a family. The Wolfe County Cooperative Extension Service, SNAP-Ed Assistant addressed this issue by providing the families of Wolfe County a new program called, “First Friday Family Cooking.” The program uses the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum. On the first Friday of every month families received lessons on different topics, such as planning meals, budgeting food dollars, and reading labels. Participants in the program prepared and sampled recipes that fit into their food budget and that their families enjoyed eating. They also spent time together cooking at the program and it encouraged them to do the same at home.

                Over the last nine months there has been a big change, families are preparing meals together and eating at the table. Families reported that they have more time to discuss their days with each other over dinner. One participant stated, “I made spaghetti with my mommy and daddy last night and we sat and talked about my first day of Kindergarten.” Another participant stated, “I help my mommy in the kitchen by setting the table and I use my My Plate when I eat.”