During the COVID-19 pandemic, Caldwell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2% in February 2020 to 14.6% in April 2020. Caldwell County SNAP-ED Senior paraprofessional held online classes via Facebook Live to teach the Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum to limited resource clients. Each week the Caldwell County Nutrition Education Program Senior Assistant hosted a Facebook Live video with a different topic and resources including food demonstration videos, healthy budget friendly recipes, and overall proper nutrition.

Caldwell County Healthy Choices for Every Body Facebook Live was conducted over a seven week period. The groups completed the program between April and June 2020.   Sixteen individuals signed up for the seven week program. Lessons taught during the class focused on MyPlate, reading food labels,and  limiting added sugars, fat and sodium. Participants also gained knowledge in meal planning, food budgeting, and food safety techniques. Participants showed a 37% percent improvement in diet quality, 46% improvement in physical activity, 29% improvement in food safety, and 34% improved in food resource management.   After the program concluded, the Caldwell County Nutrition Education Program Assistant provided program graduates (who completed entry, exit survey and watched all seven videos) a reinforcement bag. The reinforcement bag included educational handouts, recipes, and reinforcement kitchen tools.  Participants reported utilizing their reinforcement tools and knowledge to engage in and promote healthy lifestyle habits at home with their family members. One participants quoted “I am planning on using the binder to sit down with my girls & meal plan on Sunday to start our week off right! Thanks again for all the hard work you put into the program!”