The state of Kentucky’s current obesity rate is at 33%. Meade County, Kentucky has an obesity rate of 34%. Within Meade County there is only 11% of residents that are consuming the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. The lack of food preparation knowledge and experience contributes to these statistics. Therefore processed, prepackaged food items are a staple in many homes.

Meade County Head Start and the EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) assistant of Meade County Cooperative Extension Service partnered to offer a seven-week Healthy Choices for Every Body Program for the parents. The program was conducted at the Head Start facility. Four females and two males attended, ages ranging from 30 to 55. During the series of classes the participants learned about nutrition, food safety, meal planning and food budgeting. The participants received several recipes that incorporate fruit in the main entrees. The participants were given several kitchen tools to help them with their food prep at home.

By the end of the program, 64% of participants improved their diet quality and 75% improved their food safety practices. Eighty-three percent are cooking their own meals at home more often. A mother of one of the male participants thanked the EFNEP assistant for everything she had taught her adult son. She commented, “He is so excited to go to your class each week! He and his children are living with my husband and me. I now come home from work to a meal he has cooked for all of us. That has never happened before!”