Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Bell County, traditional methods of educating individuals on nutrition and physical activity were re-invented.

In March of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic forced new regulations of individuals and business making families increase their time at home and away from others. We felt it was very important to find new ways to serve our community and continue to reach our clientele.

Bell County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Assistant teamed with the Family and Consumer Science Agent to prepare Grab and Go Extension bags with nutrition lessons from the Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum, COVID-19 handouts, Wally Cat handwashing publications, Extension information and healthy recipes. Surveys were distributed to see if the grab and go bags were making an impact with our clientele. Eighteen surveys were returned with 90% showing a change in eating more fruits and vegetables to improve their health. One participant stated” Because of the healthy recipes I was given, I now add more fruits and vegetables into my daily diet.”