According to assessment data collected through the Kentucky Health Facts organization, Bullitt County has an obesity rate of 28% and Kentucky continues to rank in the top five most obese states across all ages. In addition, Bullitt County has a poverty rate of 10.2% and a food insecurity rate of 14.8 %.  These issues must be addressed in order to improve the health and quality of life for the citizens of our community. To address this need in Bullitt County, the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and the Program Assistant partnered together to offer residents opportunities to learn more about fresh produce to improve diet, sample healthy recipes and receive the recipe cards for those recipes in hopes to improve their food choices and food insecurity.  The Family and Consumer Sciences agent and Assistant offered 10 educational opportunities for 152 consumers to learn about fresh produce as well as sample recipes using a specific commodity that was in season during that time period. Data received through a post program survey indicated:

98% indicated they were more likely to buy that Kentucky fruit or vegetable as a result of tasting the recipe sample

95% indicated that the taste test contributed to their plan to try the recipe at home

73% reported an increase in their fruit and/or vegetable consumption