Since the start of the coronavirus quarantine in early March 2020, strict restrictions on meetings with clientele were put into practice and therefore, no face-to-face meeting were allowed. As a way of being able to reach out, staying connected and providing continued programming, Nutrition Information Packets were prepared and distributed to families in Pulaski county during the pandemic.

The Pulaski County SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) assistant collaborated with other Extension Agents, and  several local agencies, including Somerset Housing Authority, Pulaski County Board of Education, Pulaski County Health Department, Pulaski County Public Library, along with local church, food pantries, and recovery centers to get the packets distributed.  

The packets featured useful and relevant topics on COVID-19, hand washing, home cleanliness, food safety, food storage, family fitness, cooking at home, and gardening.   Other educational materials included Healthy at Home, Seasoned and Chop Chop newsletters, Wally Cat activity books and Plate It Up recipe cards.  The use of social media posts and videos of recipe demonstrations has furthered the outreach. Bi- weekly packets with information serving parents, grandparents, and students were sent out during the months of April through June. Packets in Spanish were also distributed upon request.

To date, approximately 859 Nutrition Information Packets have been dispersed throughout the county with over one half going home with school lunches and summer feeding program. The Nutrition Education Program Assistant discovered that stepping out of her comfort zone, by opening a new Pulaski County Nutrition Education Program Face book page, which has allowed her to reach a larger and more diverse audience.  To date 830 contacts have been made via social media.

Pulaski County families receiving the packets were encouraged to leave feedback.  One grandmother shared, “We loved all of the information especially the growing squash activity”.