In Jefferson County, an estimated 44,000 individuals live in areas that lack access to fresh food (Center for Health Journalism, 2019). Medical News Today cites several adverse health risks associated with living in an area like this, such as a higher incidence of obesity, increased prevalence of diabetes and other weight-related conditions, especially in children. Learning to grow vegetables can provide individuals living in these areas an affordable way to access fresh vegetables.

In late summer of 2020, the Nutrition Education Program launched a Victory Garden campaign to promote gardening in the state of Kentucky, specifically among limited resource families during the pandemic. In Jefferson County, victory garden toolkits were assembled and included gardening items and educational material for beginner gardeners. Gardening gloves and trowels for the toolkits were generously provided through a partnership with the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and seed packets were donated by a community organization. “Growing Your Own” gardening calendars and publications were included, along with Home Gardening in Kentucky booklets, produce cards, Farmers’ Market guides and Plate it Up Kentucky Proud recipe cards.

Ninety victory garden toolkits were distributed through multiple avenues to reach a wide audience in the county including a local community organization serving limited resource youth, family resource coordinators with the school system and by Nutrition Education Program Assistant to program participants. Gardening and nutrition education are valuable contributions to the work of improving food access in Jefferson County.