The 2018 State Indicator produced by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that only 12.2 % of adults meet the daily fruit intake and only 9.3% meet the recommended amount of vegetables. Records also show an even lower number of adults meeting the recommended daily intake in communities that are considered below the poverty line. Breckinridge County poverty rate stands at 53%. Wanting to make a positive impact in lives of families in Breckinridge County, Nutrition Education Assistant partnered alongside Breckinridge Cooperative Extension, Gift House, Irvington Baptist, Cloverport United Methodist, Restorations Church, and Breckinridge Detention Center. Together, 13 gardens/raised beds were built and maintained to increase accessibility of fresh produce throughout Breckinridge County. 

Over 4,500 ears of corn, 159 pounds of cucumbers, 43 pounds of tomatoes, 41 pounds of zucchini, 37 pounds of squash, and 25 pounds of peppers!! The produce grown at the church facilities were all donated to the food pantries within its own town and or food drives within the community. Record high attendance during Covid. Produce was also harvested and the stored to contribute to feeding families in a homeless shelter. Also, rehabilitation facilities of battered women and those that struggle with substance addictions. Produce was not the only product of this gardens! Residents were also given gardening education, Plate it Up, and Healthy Choices recipe cards. Partnerships between Nutrition Education and several of the collaborating facilities were also started. 

Many of these gardens were placed in low-income, limited access, underserved minority towns. And when Covid hit life got harder for most. Through working together as a community effort, hundreds of families were positivity influenced by being able to access and consume more fruits and vegetables. And the knowledge to know how to grow a garden/container garden if possible and also the importance of fruit and vegetables to our daily lives.