Fresh Produce a Family Favorite

 According to the Center for Disease Control 90% of Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. The proper amount of fruits and vegetables that should be eaten is based on age, gender and amount of physical activity a person does. Not reaching the recommended amount puts people at risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

 In an effort to increase the fruit and vegetable consumption the Anderson County SNAP Education Assistant joined forces with the Backpack Buddies Program and Lawrenceburg First Christian Church to provide a Free Produce stand near one of the at risk communities during the summer months. Along with the produce the families were offered recipes for the offered foods, nutrition education and nutrition based activities for the children.

 By the end of the season the families would ask as soon as they came to the stand what kind of recipes they would be getting that day. Learning a healthy way to prepare different foods will not only lead to eating more fruit and vegetables but also in trying new ones.