2019 is the year the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of programming nationwide. In Fayette County, through the federally funded Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the EFNEP program has been a factor in helping families to change food pattern behaviors to low-income families. Booker T Washington Elementary school is a predominantly minority and free and reduced lunch school. Promoting better eating habits is important for kids.

Encouraging children to eat healthy and exercise is a great way for children to learn about nutrition and physical activity. Kentucky State University EFNEP program has helped encourage children to eat healthy foods and exercise through a series at the Booker T Washington Elementary fitness Fridays. The fitness Friday program meets once a month. Each month the second graders learn about a new food group and participate in a fitness activity.  Using the approved choose my plate books, we learned about fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, protein, and the MyPlate system. The ultimate goal is to bring awareness to health and well-being.

The series starts over each school year with a new set of second-grade children. The second-grade children used the K-second grade survey, based upon the surveys 28% (10 of 36) improved in their responses to: Circle vegetables. 68% (25 of 37) improved in their responses to: Circle kids who should wash their hands before eating. 36% (13 of 36) improved in their responses to: Circle healthy snacks. The children in the program were able learn about lean proteins, low fat dairy, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.