September 30, 2017

Owenton, KY

Success Story

According to the United States Census Bureau, Owen County has a population of 10,730 from which the 2.6% are Hispanic. It is a very small group that settled down in the area approximately 16 years ago and has not been growing very much and hardly participate on local events or in areas within or with the community.

The diet of the Hispanics living in US is influenced by the traditional diet of their countries of origin, and have adapted to what they can reach and find where they live. Their diet is based on grains, beans, meats and fruits. They tend to eat more rice than pasta, they eat more tomatoes and fruits than salads made with leafy greens or lettuces, and they prefer whole milk rather than the 2% percent or skim milk. They eat more beef and chicken than hot dogs, sausages or luncheon meats. They are more likely to eat eggs and more legumes than starchy vegetables, and less likely to eat fats, oils, sugars and candy. Their diet has more fiber than fat but still their intake of vitamins E, calcium and zinc are very low.

The SNAP-Ed Program was introduced to the Hispanic Community in September 2015 and reached 50% of them. With direct contact to 20 families enrolled in the program that is the 33% of the 210 Hispanic persons living actually in the County.

This great SNAP-Ed program has been a wonderful way to introduce new healthy changes in their diet, physical activities and have been participating in programs offered at the Owen County Cooperative Extension Office and some other community events. One family stated that she never prepared salads before and since she learned how to prepare them she introduced them to her family and she prepares them very often. We have a great response from all the families they often send us pictures when they prepare some of the SNAP-Ed recipes, the majority would like to continue with the program.

Their participation reflects the following:

100% of the participants introduce more fresh salads to their diet.

100% of the participants has try new recipes at home.

100% of the participants reported a change in their way of cooking using more vegetables and less fat.

100% of the participants read labels, nutrition facts and compare prices.

80% of the participants learned new ways to cook healthy.

60% of the participants reported doing more physical activities with their families.

50% of the participants started using the portion chart for each member of the family.

100% of the graduates would like to have more SNAP-Ed Lessons.