Author: Karli Giles
Planning Unit: Jessamine County CES
Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
Plan of Work: Improving Health & Well Being
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
In 2017 Jessamine County Family and Consumer Sciences Program held a ten-month long program titled Lunch N’ Learn. The goal of Lunch N’ Learn was to provide participants with nutrition knowledge and food preparation skills to better equip them with the skills needed to live a healthier lifestyle. In Jessamine County, 31% of adult residents are considered obese (County Health Rankings, 2016.) Obesity can lead to a number of other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. Obesity, however, can be combated through a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. One of the main objectives of Lunch N’ Learn is to introduce new fruits and vegetables in a person’s diet. At the conclusion of the program, 67% of participants identified that they tried a new fruit and/or vegetable due to attending Lunch N’ Learn. One participant even stated, “My husband will not believe me when I tell him that I tried squash today, and even liked it!” In each session of Lunch N’ Learn, participants learn at least one skill that will help them with preparing the recipes confidently at home. This confidence from participants was evident when 83% reported that they made a recipe they learned from Lunch N' Lunch at home. Lunch N' Learn was also an opportunity to empower community leaders. Through the course of the ten months, a Master Food Volunteer provided over 40 hours of volunteer work to Lunch N' Learn by assisting the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in sharing the knowledge of food safety and food preparation with the participants. The high popularity and shown impact Lunch N' Learn had on the participants in Jessamine County was all the reasons needed for the program to be continued next year.
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