Author: Kayla Lunsford
Planning Unit: Garrard County CES
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Outcome: Initial Outcome
In March of 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown, all in-person programming at the Lincoln County Extension Office was cancelled. In order to address this gap in programming, it became necessary to utilize virtual education more regularly. The goal was to provide nutrition and health focused content that would be engaging to the community, and hopefully reach a larger audience that had not been tapped into before with traditional programming. A Facebook page was started by the Nutrition Education Program Assistant called Lincoln County Nutrition Education Program.
Since March, the page has gained more than 200 followers and is updated daily or at least 3-4 times a week with content approved by the University of Kentucky. This page includes things like recipes, food safety tips, physical activity tips, COVID-19 safety information, gardening information and weekly live videos which consist of a cooking demonstration. The Facebook live videos have received the most engagement and positive feedback. Between March 21st and September 30th, approximately 23 live videos have been conducted displaying recipes from the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum, PlanEatMove.com and past UK nutrition calendars. In every video, the audience learns step by step how to prepare the recipe while also receiving food safety advice, nutrition education and money saving tips. Only counting SNAP eligible audience (19% of total views), the videos have amassed more than 4,700 views. As a result of the Facebook page, the Lincoln County Nutrition Education Program has been able to expand its reach in the community. New partnerships have been made through Facebook, such as the one with the Lincoln County Summer Feeding Program. After seeing the videos, the coordinator reached out to the NEP Assistant and 1,650 nutrition packets were made and sent out to students in the county. The Facebook page continues to grow each week and reach people in the community who may have otherwise not been able to receive nutrition education. It will be a continued educational tool even after in-person classes resume fully.
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