Kentucky has the seventh highest adult obesity rate in the nation, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America released August 2017. Kentucky's adult obesity rate is currently 34.2 percent, up from 21.7 percent in 2000 and from 12.7 percent in 1990. The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. 

To address this issue, the staff at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Christian County developed a farmer’s market buyers guide to market Extension, provide healthy eating tips, and to feature “Plate It Up!” recipes. Plate It Up! is a joint program between the Cooperative Extension Service, Human Environmental Sciences and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The program promotes locally grown commodities and encourages consumers to buy locally. It also has the goal of creating a better, healthier lifestyle and reducing obesity. Agents and assistants prepare Plate It Up! recipes weekly and distribute samples as well as healthy eating information at the Downtown Hopkinsville Farmers Market.

In the 2017 market season, over 1,000 buyer’s guides were distributed to market patrons, the housing authority, the county fair, health fairs, civic groups, the women’s shelter and the senior citizens center. More than 460 people visited the Extension booth and tasted fresh produce cooked using the Kentucky Proud “Plate It Up!” recipes, including 123 African American (27%) and 325 white (71%). Additionally, the market’s Facebook page promotes the recipes and tasting events to over 2,000 followers. Many tasters tried foods they had not tried before. One taster commented that she had made a recipe from the guide for her family and they loved it.