Studies show families in Kentucky can sometimes struggle to meet the basic needs of their

family. Recent data shows Kentucky’s State Poverty rate is almost 19%. (Pre-Covid 19). 

The University of Kentucky’s Boone County Nutrition Education Assistant, partnered with 

The Northern Kentucky’s Helping Hearts group.  Helping Hearts is a non-profit organization

that works virtually via Facebook to distribute household goods, clothing, diapers, formula

and food to local Northern Kentucky families in need of the resources. The group met for a 

7 lesson series at the Boone County’s Enrichment Centers Cooking Lab Kitchen. They

learned about Nutrition,  Food Safety, and how to plan meals on a limited budget. 

Along with each session the group prepared a healthy,  low cost recipe to sample. One

participant said she added The Colorful Quesadilla to her grocery list. 

She enjoyed the taste and found it very cost efficient for her family of three. This nutritious

recipe is loaded with vegetables. The following week we sampled Sweet Potato Chili, which

also made it to her grocery list. She exclaimed “you can’t beat the taste and price of it. Best 

of all I usually have those staple items in my pantry.”

These free nutrition classes are known to be extremely helpful and participants learn tools 

that can help them live a healthier lifestyle.