The 2019 Kentucky Annual Economic Report published by the University of Kentucky states, Kentucky falls below the national U.S. average with an average of only 40.06% of Kentucky students getting adequate physical activity.  Also, “compared to the U.S., Kentucky students generally have poorer dietary practices.”  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 5^th 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 healthy 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 clubs shared a 56% improvement in decreasing the frequency of consuming fruit flavored and sports drinks, a 43% improvement in washing fruits and vegetables prior to consumption, a 37% improvement of eating vegetables during lunch.  One club reported a 43% improvement in frequency of physical activity with a 38% reduction in non-homework screen time.  

The success of the Butler County Jr. Chef Clubs are a step in preparing the 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 and community partners plan to continue this program in an effort to continuously improve the health of local youth and families.