The drug epidemic in Eastern Kentucky has been on a steady rise the last 10 years and as a result, the number of addiction recovery facilitates in Martin County have grown. The Martin County Supplemental Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant partnered with the Agricultural Agent, program assistant, and Mountain Comprehensive Care, Serenity House to offer a 7 topic series to four (4) residents to teach them how to assemble a raised garden bed, grow and maintain plants, harvest and prepare fresh produce, importance of nutrient dense foods, stretching food dollars, and food safety.

As a result of the community garden, there was a total of 112.67 cups of produce harvested, which included cucumbers, green beans, peppers, and tomatoes. With this produce, several recipes from the Healthy Choices for Everybody curriculum was used, such as the easy sheet pan chicken bake.  

Since this was a piloted program, there were many positive challenges faced. It was an honor to watch residents of Serenity House to grow their confidence in their ability to grow vegetables and be able to incorporate them in their meals. The residents were so proud of what they were able to accomplish and what they had learned and could take away to utilize in their lives away from the center.

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