The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to low-income households to supplement their food budgets. As of June 2021, in Jefferson County, 47,638 households consisting of 98,176 individuals were utilizing SNAP benefits (CHFS DCBS, 2021). Many SNAP recipients may not possess a knowledge of how to purchase, prepare and store healthy foods. To bridge this gap, the Kentucky Nutrition Education Programs provides nutrition education with a goal of improving individual’s food resource management, food preparation and food safety skills, ultimately leading to healthier lifestyles.  

Traditionally, these series of classes are held in-person in partnership with community agencies. Due to the pandemic, programming was adapted to reach this audience in unprecedented times. The Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum was used and a combination of virtual and in-person programs were conducted with new and existing community partners, enrolling a total of 315 individuals. Former program graduates served as volunteers to assist with needs such as food demonstrations and technical assistance and were critical to the success of the programming efforts.  

As of June 30, 2021, 180 participants had completed a series of 7 classes and graduated from the Nutrition Education Program. Of these program graduates, 95% showed a positive change in their consumption of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein or dairy foods. Additionally, 49% of program graduates demonstrated an improvement in their diet quality, 57% demonstrated an improvement in their food safety practices and 53% of program graduates demonstrated an improvement in their food resource management skills. Community nutrition education continues to serve a successful strategy for improving the health and well-being of families in Jefferson County.