According to data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans get sick every year from food-borne illness.  One of the demographics who pose a greater risk of becoming ill from contaminated food are adults ages 65 and older.  In an effort to combat this, the Leslie County Cooperative Extension Office’s SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) program assistant partnered with the Leslie County Senior Citizen’s Center and offered a weekly program on site.  The program addressed food safety issues and offered reinforcement items, such as cutting boards and meat thermometers for the participants to use at home.   Demonstrations using these items and helpful tips were also offered in order to effectively target and eliminate possible unhealthy food practices.

Nine seniors participated in the seven week program and upon completion it was concluded that 100% of them made a positive change in food safety practices.  The seniors shared that they really enjoyed the program and by the end each person had adopted new healthy nutrition habits.  One participant shared that she had always, in the past, thawed her meat at room temperature and was shocked to learn that it was an unsafe method.  Another person exclaimed, “I have used my new meat thermometer at least five times since I got it!”