A series of nutrition classes was recently completed at the Grayson County Food Pantry.   This series started in January 2017 and ran through July 2017.   Individuals who came early to stand in line and wait for their commodities, were given the opportunity to enter the facility earlier than others if they chose to participate in the Nutrition Classes.  Once class was over, each person was given their commodities immediately before the doors were even open to the public. The curriculum that was used was, “Healthy Choices for Every Body.” 14 participants started the program, with 9 successfully completing it.

According to reports from censusreporter.org, of the residents of Grayson County, over the age of 65, 16 % live in poverty, and 34% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty; which is one and a half times more than the poverty rate of Kentucky as a whole, which is 15.5%.  In the month of June 2017, the Grayson County Food Pantry served more than 720 households, and 1382 individuals.  With such poverty in this county, it is imperative that we reach as many people as possible to improve their knowledge and ability to use what they have in a way that isn’t wasteful; and provides nutritious meals for themselves and their families. 

Within the nine graduates that completed the course, their recalls showed improvements in all ten categories that were taught.  The biggest improvement was the participants do not thaw foods at room temperature anymore; the rate went from 14% up to 86%.  There was also a significant change in the number of people who do not run out of food before the end of the month; this percentage went from 14% to 71%.  By teaching the families who participated in the nutrition classes how to use the food they already have in different ways, and to use their leftovers in new and innovative recipes, it has tremendously helped these individuals to rely on their knowledge and skill more often.

Here are some quotes from the participants:

-I love these classes, and I have learned so much.

-These are things I should have already known, but it has helped me to hear them again.

-I have always used the same cutting board for all foods, I won’t do that anymore.