Success StorySmart Shopping Tips



Smart Shopping Tips

Author: LaToya Drake

Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

Plan of Work: Promote Healthy Financial Behaviors

Outcome: Initial Outcome

With an estimated 9,397 Barren County residents living in poverty and many others living as working poor, a substantial number of families make too little to afford a basic budget. Promoting healthy financial behaviors is a priority for Barren County and the Smart Shopping Tips program set out to do this through education on grocery shopping budgeting, meal planning, and food storage and freezing techniques.

The Barren County Extension Agent for FCS presented the program on two different occasions. The first program was organized by an area Women of Wellness group and was held at the Barren County Innovation Zone (Barren County Schools); this session included a hands on meal planning/cooking activity using the facilities commercial education kitchen. The second program was held at the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service. 

A total of 29 individuals were served during these programs and educated on smart shopping tips. A written survey was conducted at the end of the presentation. All participants said that the information was practical and that they understood some basic tips on how to save money on groceries and meal planning. Participants described their appreciation of the program and when questioned about the most significant thing that they would apply the following responses were recorded among others: “Budgeting and making out menus in advance.” “Refrigerator and freezer storage chart list is amazing.” “Don’t rinse chicken.” “Do not put frozen food in crock-pot.” One mother and daughter duo in attendance expressed that they had heard about the event via Facebook; the daughter further detailed that she came to discover strategies to more effectively use her $200 monthly SNAP benefits. Students also expressed interest in participating in additional meal planning and budgeting programs in the future. 






Stories by LaToya Drake


Smart Shopping Tips

Smart Shopping Tips

about 5 years ago by LaToya Drake

With an estimated 9,397 Barren County residents living in poverty and many others living as working ... Read More


Building Diversity and Brand as New Extension Agent

Building Diversity and Brand as New Extension Agent

about 5 years ago by LaToya Drake

LaToya Drake, Barren County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences was a new face to Exten... Read More


Stories by Family and Consumer Sciences


SNAP-Ed Partnership with KSU Center for Sustainable Family Farming Boosts Program and Outreach

SNAP-Ed Partnership with KSU Center for Sustainable Family Farming Boosts Program and Outreach

about 5 years ago by Gidgett Sweazy

As our SNAP-Ed Program Assistants continue to build community relationships, it is clear that the wo... Read More


KSU/CIS UConnect Program Field Trips Spawned Photography Club

KSU/CIS UConnect Program Field Trips Spawned Photography Club

about 5 years ago by Carla Jordan

During this fiscal year, the students at the KSU/CIS UConnect Program Students participated in a num... Read More


Stories by Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)


Smart Shopping Tips

Smart Shopping Tips

about 5 years ago by LaToya Drake

With an estimated 9,397 Barren County residents living in poverty and many others living as working ... Read More


Special Cowpokes

Special Cowpokes

about 5 years ago by Matthew Futrell

Special CowpokesThe Christian County Cattlemens Association set out with a goal to have impact on th... Read More