According to the United States Census, Kentucky is above the child poverty rate and food insecurity percentages.  Laurel County has over twenty percent increase in total poverty and eleven percent total poverty increase since 2008.  The Expanded Food and Nutrition Program Assistant worked with the Laurel County Family Resource Centers and did a series of seven lessons using the Healthy Choices for Everybody curriculum.  Hands on nutrition education provided during the year with emphasis on meal planning, food safety and buying and preparing healthy foods and managing food monies.   Participants tried new foods and some of the schoolchildren attended 4-H cooking classes and Super Star Chef classes.  

 Many caregivers are helping families make healthier food choices while staying on a budget.  One hundred percent improved in food security indicators and showed improvement in food resource management.   Many reported staying on budget and making better food selections using food resources including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women Infant Children supplemental monies.  These practices learned through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service helped families with poverty and food insecurity.