The 2019 Kentucky Annual Economic Report published by the University of Kentucky states, based on high school student surveys, “Kentucky students get less physical activity.” Compared to the national U.S. average of 46.5%, Kentucky falls below to an average of 40.06% of students getting adequate physical activity.  Also, “In addition, compared to the U.S., Kentucky students generally have poorer dietary practices.”  Kentucky statistics fall below the U.S. average in food related behaviors and healthy consumption. In an effort to address these issues locally, the Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with local agencies to provided nutrition education to forty seven 5th grade students prior to the students entering middle school. The goal of the program was for the students to learn and implement healthy nutrition habits while also learning to make food preparation enjoyable. 

The Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant, along with Butler County Family Resource Center, North Butler Elementary School, and Morgantown Elementary School partnered to create two Jr. Chef cooking clubs. Members of the Jr. Chef Cooking Clubs met after school, alternating weekly between each club, for eleven weeks to participate in hands on nutrition lessons and cooking activities. The Teen Cuisine Curriculum was utilized for lessons and activities.  The two final classes were held at the Butler County Extension Office where the participants prepared a healthy meal.  Evaluation data showed overall the two clubs shared a 56% improvement in the frequency of drinking fruit flavored and sports drinks, and a 43% improvement in washing fruits and vegetables prior to consumption. One club reported a 43% improvement in frequency of physical activities with a 38% reduction in non-homework screen time.  The other club showed a 37% improvement of reading Nutrition Facts labels and frequency of eating vegetables at lunch.   

The successes of the Butler County Jr. Chef Clubs are a step in preparing these students for healthy lifestyles as they enter middle school, and can play a role in changing Kentucky statistics.  The Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant, Butler County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent,  Butler County Family Resource Center, Butler County 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, Butler County School System, various community members worked together to make this endeavor a part of the community.