“Kentucky State University Brings Innovative Programs to Elizabethtown Kentucky thru Technology in Nutrition Education Videos & Newsletters” 

Within Kentucky farmers, businesses, and families have all had some kind of impact from the COVID-19 (corona-virus) pandemic.   According to the United States Census Bureau from May 2020 to May 2021 the price of food increased by at least 2.2 %, while energy increased by a staggering 29%.  In addition, the unemployment rate decreased from May 2020 at 10.9% to 4.5% in May 2021, at a rate of change of about 9%.   So the state of Kentucky saw an increase in the amount of people that were working. People have had to alter the way that they normally would plan for special events such as meal planning and eating out at restaurants.   For families meal planning and staying healthy while not spending too much money have become a constant challenge for families, farmers, and businesses owners.  Due to these stressors put on the families, a need developed for more educational videos on how to prepare healthy meals for families. The educational programs that were being offered from Kentucky State University, specifically, Hardin County decided to implement some educational programs using videos to meet the needs of families. 

            The nutritional educational program that was developed included a series of videos called the “Healthy Living Series.” The series was divided up into about 9 different segments with each segment aimed at teaching a new skill for some adults and youth on how to use either meal planning skills or skills on portion control and maintaining a healthy diet.  The videos that were created had the following title’s: Portion Control, Meal Planning Made Easy, Air Fryer Basics, Nutritious Recipes for the Summer, and Fad Diets: Gluten Free & Mediterranean Diet.  

As a result of these educational videos, a total of approximately 3,000 people were reached thru some form of technology on social media.  Two of the videos that were featured included information from two specialists and Research Professors that work with Kentucky State University’s Cooperative Extension Program. Dr. Christopher Grimes, State specialists for Nutrition and Health, and Dr. Allison Parker Young, who serves as the Family and Consumer Sciences program leader and an Associate Professor for programs in the College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment.  Both specialists played an integral role in developing educational materials for the Cooperative Extension program and assist with several research initiatives and grant programs within Kentucky State University’s Land Grant Program. 

Several topics on Nutrition Education were shared primarily thru social media websites such as Facebook with the Hardin County Public Library and the Hardin County Extension Office.  In addition, several of the topics that were discussed within the videos was being shared thru the use of newsletters to serve as an additional piece of literature that families and youth could use for the future as reference materials to the information that was shared in the videos (recipes, recommendations on portion sizes, etc.). 

Furthermore, as a result of the video programs, the Nutrition Education Program resulted in a number of collaborations within the community with several organizations.  By sharing the videos and newsletters, the programs have expanded to about 15 different organizations within Elizabethtown, Kentucky and in several counties surrounding Hardin County, Kentucky.  If the presentations had of just been in person, then the program would not have reached as many people as it reached.  This program was able to provide limited resource audiences with information on getting instructions on how to use an Air Fryer to prepare a meal and how to create inexpensive gifts from cheap materials and food items that you can include a mason jar. It also made it easier for the family and consumer science agents, Chandra DeRamus, to engage with audiences within their homes. 

In addition to the videos, Kentucky State University shares handouts with partner organizations with organizations like the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Families along with educational materials like Chop Chop magazines.  According the child welfare specialists, the kids enjoy reading information from the newsletters and ChopChop magazines about healthy recipes and snacks that they can create from fruits.  The groups was very happy to see the  newsletter’s and Chop Chop Magazines were provided after the initial drop off process from about 6 months ago.  For the year, the Chop Chop magazines and newsletters reached a total of about 800 adults and youth.  It serves as a necessary engagement tool for youth and students to access information, especially for parents who may not have access to attend a program in person or who may not look for educational videos and programs on-line due to lack of internet access. 

            In closing, some of the viewers of the videos were quoted as stating that they did enjoy receiving the information. Several others, at least about 80% of the viewers, did mention that that they would try the recipes that were given on the presentations and would create the recipes, including one of the fruit recipes with strawberries and pineapples, with their kids.  By the parents saying that they would create the recipes from the videos with the kids, it just shows that more people will consume more fruits and vegetables.  The importance of including healthy foods in the American diet leads to much better health outcomes according to the American Dietary Guidelines (2020).  Therefore the videos have made an impact in Kentucky by providing families with a way to improve their overall consumption of fruits and vegetables, which will eventually lead to healthier health outcomes if they continue to consume more fruits and vegetables. This program will continue to be a great resource throughout Elizabethtown Kentucky to promote educational programs and engage youth and adult audiences on innovative food trends and topics throughout the Commonwealth. 

Pictured Above: Display for Video Presentation: “Shopping Smart and Savvy at the Grocery: What’s in a Price Label” by Chandra DeRamus at the Hardin County Extension Office.

Pictured Above: Display for Video Presentation: “Shopping Smart and Savvy at the Grocery: What’s in a Price Label” by Chandra DeRamus at the Hardin County Extension Office.

Pictured Above: Chandra DeRamus, Family and Consumer Science Agent, Kentucky State University, Hardin County created a display of Chop Chop Magazines w/Nutritional Education facts & puzzles for kids at the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services center. 

Pictured Above: Display of Chop Chop Magazines w/Nutritional Education for kids at the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services center by Chandra DeRamus, Family and Consumer Science Agent, Kentucky State University, Hardin County.