According the to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 36.6% of adults over 18 are obese and 31.9% have an overweight classification. In addition, 42.7% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily and 17% of adults reported consuming vegetables less than one time daily. In an attempt to improve these percentages and showcase healthy and affordable recipes, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the Calloway County Public Library to provide a program called Cooking Through the Calendar.

The Nutrition Education Program produces a calendar every year with healthy and affordable recipes. The agent conducted a class each month and demonstrated the featured recipe of the month. Along with the demonstration of how to prepare the recipe, the agent provided tips for healthy living and other nutritional information. Several things such as using spices to enhance flavor rather than salt, meal planning, and food safety were always discussed.

Cooking Through the Calendar was a very popular program with sometimes as many as 25 to 30 participants. Evaluations have been gathered with monthly testimonials from participants excited to report on their own outcomes from making the recipes for their family. 89% of participants have reported making the recipes at home after watching the demonstration and sampling the recipe. 68% of the class participants stated they now cook more at home using the simple, healthy and affordable recipes from the calendar. Quotes from participants include: "I love this program, I always learn so much!" "I can't believe how tasty and simple that recipe is. I am going to the grocery now to get the ingredients for dinner!" 

Cooking Through the Calendar is a successful program and the partnership with the Calloway County Public Library will continue.