The goal of the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) is to provide as much information as is possible to residents of Kentucky.  As a result of COVID-19, delivery methods for the NEP were altered drastically.    The Lewis County Cooperative Extension Service staff worked together to ensure the community had ample opportunities to continue receiving educational material related to nutrition and health.  With limited to no physical opportunities as an option, the Lewis County SNAP-Ed Program Assistant dove into the virtual world for spreading the NEP message across the county.  

Using Facebook as the major platform, a page was created specifically for the NEP message and educational materials beginning March, 2020.  The page grew to a following of 381 individuals from all demographics by August, 2020.  Using recipes from the Plan Eat Move website, ChopChop newsletters and tips for a variety of things from cooking with kids, playing games with your children and even food science experiments, 24,907 individuals were reached during the five month period of time.  Also created during this time was a private group used to present the Healthy Choices for Everybody curriculum via Facebook Live.  The group grew to contain 24 members receiving the curriculum online.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NEP work changed drastically, calling for significant changes in the delivery methods for NEP educational materials.  While the logistical challenges in regards to getting the message of the NEP were somewhat frustrating, the information was still presented and even exceeded the reach possible by in-person meetings.   Different times call for different methods of community outreach and program delivery.   Challenging times, such as a pandemic, resulted in everyone pulling together, most times our to their comfort zone, to share educational information and materials for people to stay healthy and safe