When it comes to mealtime, one of the most everyday frustration for individuals and parents, is often related to, “what to cook for dinner.”  Having the same thing on the menu over and over gets monotonous and can also make it difficult to get the proper nutrients our body needs.  In order to have a well-balanced diet, there must be variety in what is prepared during meals.  This inspired the Lewis County SNAP-Ed Program assistant to present the community with a variety of healthy recipes from sources, such as Healthy Choices for Everybody curriculum, Plate it Up KY Proud!, Cook Wild KY and the Nutrition Education Calendars.  

Beginning in March, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started, virtual program delivery became the norm; and it was through this method that these recipes were delivered.   By joining a local Facebook cooking group, the recipes were shared to a whole new audience.  During this time, 8,390 individuals viewed and reacted to the healthy recipes shared by the Snap-Ed assistant.  Each of these recipes had an emphasis on lowering fat, sodium and sugar intake.  Recipes also introduced participants to new foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean proteins.

Community members came to anticipate the next recipe and replied multiple times with how much they enjoyed seeing new menu options to try with their families.  One individual sent a private message to the Lewis County Nutrition Education Program FB page stating how thankful they were to be getting the new recipes; they had been pre-diabetic for some time and had been using these healthy new recipes to lower their A1C numbers.  Even during this pandemic, the message of eating healthy was able to be delivered.  Time will tell the true impact this type of community outreach has had on residents in Lewis County.