Success StoryCook Together, Eat Together



Cook Together, Eat Together

Author: Janet Mullins

Planning Unit: Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Major Program: Cook Together, Eat Together

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Making half your plate fruits and vegetables is one of the most potent ways Americans can eat a healthier diet. However, making this dietary change in the current food environment is challenging, especially in regard to vegetable consumption. In 2012, a proposal for a social marketing project to promote healthy, home cooked meals was developed for limited resource families with young children. Over the next five years, two pilot test waves were conducted. Iterative monitoring, evaluation, and revision were implemented. Program evaluations demonstrate that participants increase fruit and vegetable intake by 1 cup per day, or 20% of the recommended intake. In 2020, a peer-reviewed academic paper was published in a special food security issue of Translational Behavioral Medicine. In 2021, a cookbook to accompany the Extension program Cook Together, Eat Together was published. The program is now available throughout Kentucky and to other states.






Stories by Dietetics and Human Nutrition


Using Edible Flowers Safely

about 5 months ago by Sandra Bastin

The problemThere is a growing trend of using edible flowers both to enrich the plate appearance and ... Read More


Engaging New Audiences in Cooking Experiences through Online Modalities

about 5 months ago by Sandra Bastin

The problemToday, the big question is? Are counties maxing out on the number of people they can reac... Read More