According to Kentucky County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Butler County ranks 69 in social economic factors which is in direct correlation to being ranked 68 in health factors.  Thus, making Butler County susceptible to adults being at risk for an unhealthy lifestyle which coincides with unemployment.  The Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with Three Corners Employment to illicit change in at risk clientele.

Three Corners Employment’s motto is, “Making a difference by empowering individuals with employable skills and providing employers with qualified workers.” Their clientele met at the Butler County Extension Office for the series Healthy Choices for Every Body. The clientele learned healthy eating, meal planning, budgeting, food safety, reading labels, knowing the limits of solid oils fats and added sugars and also the importance of breakfast.  Each of these are life lessons that better prepare anyone for the workforce and to be productive.  They also learned basic kitchen skills and how to shop for and read a recipe. The three participants showed a 100% increase in making small changes to be active more, 52% increase in diet quality and a 60% improvement in food resource management. Since the class ended all three live independently and/or are gainfully employed.  One participant stated, “I learned how to make chili. I always wanted to know how and now I make it all the time. I also learned how to substitute ingredients-I enjoyed the cooking class so much!”

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment states, “The Kentucky Nutrition Education Program provides educational opportunities for limited resource individuals to acquire knowledge, develop skills and change behaviors that lead to improved health and well-being.” Together, the Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant, The Butler County Extension Service, and The Butler County Family and Consumer Science Agent,  and Three Corner’s Employment worked together to accomplish this goal in the lives of three individuals.