Because of COVID-19 and a nationwide shutdown, more families found themselves staying in and preparing more meals at home. In efforts to educate and help with healthy eating and safe food/meal preparation a series of grab and go lessons and Facebook live videos were developed by the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky Specialist and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to implement the Plate It Up Kentucky Proud program.

20 participants were given Plate It Up recipe cards and information weekly for two months on how to select, store and prepare locally grown Kentucky Proud fruits and vegetables. A written evaluation and a qualtrics survey was conducted at the end of the program indicating that 90% of the participants prepared meals at home using the Plate It Up recipes. 80% discovered that because of the lessons and using the recipes, they are eating more fruits and vegetables daily.