Research is clear that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help protect against several chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Nationwide, it is estimated that only 12.2% of adults meet the recommended amount of fruits each day and only 9.3% meet recommendations for vegetables. Kentucky falls even further below the national averages with only 8.0% of adults meeting daily recommendations for fruits and 6.3% meeting recommendations for vegetables. When examining the factors in Kentucky that contribute to these statistics, accessibility of healthy foods, specifically fruits and vegetables, rises to the top.

In response, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents in more than 2/3 of Kentucky counties are working in a variety of ways to increase accessibility and affordability of healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, within their communities. To immediately place more fruits and vegetables in the hands of Kentucky families, it is reported that 3,905 families grew gardens at home, with over 25% of those families growing gardens for the first time, as a result of FCS Agent programming. Further, FCS agents taught skills that allowed 9,805 individuals to supplement their diet with healthy foods they either produced and/or preserved to increase access to fruits and vegetables within Kentucky homes.

FCS Agents are working with locations within their communities where residents procure food to increase the accessibility of fruits and vegetables. As a result, 14,746 individuals reported they utilized a new delivery system or access point that offers fruits and vegetables, such as the farmers’ market, CSAs, WIC, or local food pantries. Specifically, more than $111,000 were redeemed at Kentucky farmers’ markets through EBT, WIC, or Senior benefits.

Other contributors to food accessibility within Kentucky counties are restaurants. As a result of FCS Agent programming efforts, 79 restaurants across the counties are utilizing locally grown healthy foods on their menus.

As a collective result of these efforts and FCS Extension programming, 22,091 individuals across Kentucky report eating more healthy foods as a result of increased food accessibility.