Trigg County is a rural county in Western Kentucky that has its share of health related issues.  Statistics from Kentucky Kids Count from 2015-17 and 2016-18 report 38% of Trigg Countians lack physical activity, 77% are overweight, and 38% suffer from obesity.  Only 7% of the population get the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.  Kentucky By the Numbers data shows that 28% of Trigg Countians report less than good health.  Since it is a commonly held belief that good healthy habits start early, the Trigg County Early Childhood Council wanted to help parents develop healthy habits with their preschool children.

The FCS agent in Trigg County works with the Trigg County Early Childhood Council as a member and as a Level 5 credentialed child care provider training.  After being trained in February, 2019 on the "Cook Together. Eat Together." curriculum, she met with the Trigg County Schools Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and the Trigg County Early Childhood Liaison about teaching the curriculum for the Early Childhood Council.  Plans developed into a series of 6 classes that included the "Cook Together. Eat Together." program taught by the FCS agent, SNAP Healthy Choices for Every Body" taught by the Trigg County SNAP assistant, and learning sessions for the children taught by the Early Childhood Liaison and assisted by the Child Care Services class at Trigg County High School Two local churches donated 20 slow cookers to give to the class participants.  The Way Youth Center volunteered the use of their facilities to host the sessions.  A local farm donated meat to use in demonstrations and for participants to take home.  The Trigg County Early Childhood Council marketed the classes and handled the registration.  It was truly a community effort. 

11 parents and grandparents of preschoolers enrolled in the class with 8 completing the course.  As a result 100% of those completing the course stated that they ate more healthy foods that they previously did.  All participants also reported preparing more healthy meals at home and adopting one or more of the practices taught through the class.

A second series of classes with three enrolled had just started when the pandemic hit and people were required to be healthy at home.  The Trigg County SNAP paraprofessional has kept in communication with these clients and we will start these classes back as soon as it is safe to do so.