Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryFamily, Food and Fun



Family, Food and Fun

Author: Deborah Messenger

Planning Unit: Cumberland County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Plan of Work: Improving Health and Wellness in Cumberland County

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Studies document that children and families have increased struggles with food insecurity during the summer months and that students actually lose academic ground throughout the summer. The "Family, Food and Fun" program was conducted through June and July at Burkesville Housing Authority. The goal of the program was to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in both youth and adults to help decrease food insecurity during the summer months. Families learned proper gardening skills through the installation of raised beds gardens and classes taught by the ANR Agent. The SNAP-Ed Assistant held weekly sampling sessions for fruits, vegetables and NEP/Plate It Up recipes. Furthermore, weekly learning activities were led by the FCS Agent for youth and adults. These lessons promoted literacy (LEAP), healthy homes and foods (Healthy Homes; Body Balance), and reading nutrition facts and labels (Cook Together, Eat Together). One day per week, families worked together to prepare a meal and have a "Food Social" to encourage family mealtime. Participation was positive during the sessions. Thirteen youth and seventeen adults learned and could demonstrate how to correctly measure ingredients. Twenty-two individuals sampled new fresh fruits and vegetables. Seven families participated in physical activities together. Twenty-eight individuals attended the Taste of Summer class at the Cumberland County Farmers Market and took food items home to prepare a healthy, nutritious dish with their families. Participants received information on places they could go for help if experiencing food insecurity within their families. They also were taught benefits of buying local, fresh produce. 






Stories by Deborah Messenger


Mentoring the Middle

about 4 days ago by Deborah Messenger

Leadership skills are needed throughout the lifespan in varied situations and dynamics. Even youth a... Read More


Food As Health

about 3 months ago by Deborah Messenger

Dietary choices are the number one risk factor for chronic disease. In the United States, 7 out of t... Read More


Stories by Cumberland County CES


4-H Summer Camp: Building Lifelong Skills and Connections

4-H Summer Camp: Building Lifelong Skills and Connections

about 3 months ago by Elijah Wilson

In a world where youth increasingly find themselves engaged with electronic devices and isolated fro... Read More


4-H Trip to Washington, DC: Empowering Youth through Civic Engagement and Travel

4-H Trip to Washington, DC: Empowering Youth through Civic Engagement and Travel

about 3 months ago by Elijah Wilson

Rural youth often lack exposure to diverse experiences that broaden their understanding of national ... Read More