Success StoryNutrition for Seniors
Nutrition for Seniors
Author: Joan Bowling
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Plan of Work: SNAP
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
According the the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research the "The State of Senior Hunger in America 2016: An Annual Report," identified in 2016 13.6% of persons age 60 and older were marginally food insecure, 7.7% were food insecure, and 2.9% were very low food secure, which translates into 8.6 million, 4.9 million, and 1.8 million seniors, respectively. As depicted in the figure, this is an increase of 45% since 2001 in the fraction food insecure, and a doubling of those classified as very low food security. Kentucky adults rank among the ten highest for poor consumption of fruits and vegetables. In an effort to encourage Kenton County senior citizens to consume more locally grown fruits and vegetables and increase knowledge of how to cook on a fixed income, the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent provided monthly educational lessons to seniors. An average of 12 Seniors attended each of the six lessons provided. The 2019 and 2020 SNAP Ed calendars were provided to each participant. A cooking demonstration of recipes featured in the calendar was conducted at each session. Food safety tips, cost per serving, nutritional information, and preparation techniques were emphasized . At each session a follow-up to the previous lesson would be conducted to gauge knowledge gained and practice change. As a result of the monthly sessions: Five of the seniors reported they personally prepared two or more of the recipes; 4 seniors reported having a family member make one or more of the recipes; 8 shared the information and recipe with a friend or family member; Ten people learned one or more food safety strategies that helped them reduce food waste. Unfortunately the COVID-19 crisis precipitated the conclusion of the face to face sessions for the program year.
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