Research is clear that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help protect against several chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Nationwide, it is estimated that only 12.2% of adult meet the recommended amount of fruits each day and only 9.3% meet recommendations for vegetables (CDC, 2018). Kentucky falls even further below the national averages with only 8.0% of adults meeting daily recommendations for fruits and 6.3% meeting recommendations for vegetables (CDC, 2018). In response to these statistics, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents in 45 counties are creatively using the Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud program to encourage the consumption of locally produced fruits and vegetables across Kentucky.

Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud is a partnership between the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and the University of Kentucky School of Human Environmental Sciences. The project provides healthy, great tasting recipes using Kentucky Proud products as well as other resources for programming, recipe demonstrations and tastings, and marketing.

In response to the program across the state, 13,500 individuals reported they were more likely to buy a Kentucky fruit or vegetable as a result of tasting a Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipe sample. People were even more likely to buy a Kentucky fruit or vegetable as a result of receiving a Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipe card (7,224 individuals). When receiving a recipe card, 2,824 individuals reported they purchased the fruit or vegetable featured in the recipe.

Not only did those who participate in the program receive a benefit from exposure to fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Kentucky, but growers and vendors benefited as well. For example, 313 vendors reported increased sales at markets where Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes were tasted, or recipe cards were distributed. In sum, vendors reported an increase in sales totaling $11,408 when Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes were tasted, or recipe cards were distributed.