The Center for Disease Control reports that 33.2% of Kentucky residents are obese, 46.2% consume fruit less than 1 time per day and 24.9% consume vegetables less than 1 time per day.  Kentucky adults rank among the ten highest for poor consumption of fruits and vegetables.  The most recent Kentucky County Healthcare Profile report concluded that 34.8% of Caldwell County residents are obese.  It is evident that lifestyle changes such as eating healthier diets are needed.  Locally grown produce can provide an important access point for fresh fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet.

In an effort to encourage Caldwell County residents to eat more fruits and vegetables, the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent collaborated with the Farmers Market vendors to provide consumers with free samples of recipes from Plate It Up Kentucky Proud during the market season.  The Family & Consumer Sciences Agent set up a booth during six market days to provide a variety of healthy recipes and nutritional information for consumers and was available to answer numerous questions concerning maintaining a healthy diet.  Recipes sampled included Cucumber, Corn, and Bean Salsa, Fiesta Potatoes, Bacon & Tomato Dip, Green Beans with Feta Cheese, Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake, and Very Berry Salsa.  Additional recipes provided included Smashed Potatoes, Zippy Zucchini Cakes, Fresh Green Bean Stir Fry, Broccoli Chowder, and Summer Veggie and Wild Rice Bake.  286 consumers sampled the various recipes and received the recipes and/or nutritional information. 95 % indicated that they liked at least one of the recipes and had plans to try the recipe at home.