In Kentucky, an estimated 90% of adults do not meet the national recommendations for fruit and vegetable servings. Parents of preschool age children should be healthy role models. Children of this age are apt to imitate their parents.

In an effort to increase the fruit and vegetable consumption of the families, the EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) assistant partnered with Payneville Elementary. The school offered incoming kindergarten parents a Junior Mustangs Program. The EFNEP assistant conducted a Healthy Choices Program with the parents, which they learned about MyPlate, food safety, meal planning and the importance of physical activity. Meanwhile, the school’s Family Resource Coordinator was working with the children getting them kindergarten ready. The families enjoyed samples of a healthy recipe at the end of each session.

As a result of the program, 67% of participants improved their diet quality. Their food resource management improved by 69% and 52% increased their daily physical activity level. Several parents were very surprised that their children tasted and liked the samples provided.