According to the 2018 Annual SNAP-Ed Report for Kentucky, at least one out of 3 Kentucky children are overweight or obese. Nearly half of Kentucky children consume fruits less than once daily, well below the 1½ to 2 cups daily recommended by USDA MyPlate.Children who consume low amounts of fruits and vegetables are at greater risk for many nutrition related health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control, ”eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables daily can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness and death, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity.”

Knott county extension began a collaboration with the Hindman middle school nutrition program and cafeteria during the fall of 2019. At Hindman middle school,100% of students qualify for free or reduced school meals. Working with the school cafeteria offers an opportunity for Policy, Systems and Environment changes that directly impact students. While the National School Lunch program already has regulations in place to ensure that schools are serving nutritious foods, getting students to select and consume the healthy foods is another matter. The County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Science provided the school cafeteria with marketing items designed to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by middle school students. The banners, aprons, and other signage were used in the cafeteria for a 6 week period.

Although the quantitative analysis was inconclusive in determining if students consumed more fruits and vegetables as a result of the marketing intervention, there have been positive qualitative changes in collaboration ofKnott County Extension and the school nutrition program. The Knott County school superintendent, county lunch room administrator and the middle school cafeteria staff were 100% supportive of the program.  The cafeteria staff only had two returning staff members and one of the staff had a cancer diagnosis and as a result they had substitute staff.  Regardless of roadblocks they worked hard and were very creative.  At least once a week a fruit carving was made and displayed – a whale from a watermelon, a turtle and many others.  Staff reported that the students were excited to see what animal would appear next.  The staff plan to continue to make nutritious, attractive food available for their students.