Eating more fruits and vegetables is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention. Despite the importance of eating more produce, it is also one of the most difficult eating behaviors to change. It has been reported that cooking more meals at home is related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

A social marketing program to promote healthier, home cooked family meals, Cook Together, Eat Together, was offered at the Greenup County Cooperative Extension Office with eight adult participants. The Extension Office partnered with Journey House, an eight bed transitional living facility for women who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe substance abuse.

As a result of the program, 100%of participants reported eating more healthy foods such as whole fruits and/or brightly colored vegetables, while 100% prepared more healthy home cooked meals. In addition, 100% adopted one or more practices to reduce food shopping costs associated with home cooked meals such as comparing prices, planning meals, and making shopping lists.

Over the long term, these cooking and eating behavior changes may lead to sustainable changes in cooking and eating norms in a community. As demonstrated by Cook Together, Eat Together, social marketing is a powerful tool to promote changes for the public good.

The most significant things this group plans to apply as a result of this workshop, include using the skills learned to transition from Journey House.  During phase 2 & 3 of treatment resident’s focus on basic life skills including nutrition, cooking, & food dollar budgeting.  The goal is to give the residents the knowledge and skills needed to transition back into their home environment.  One resident stated “I can’t wait to take this Cook Together, Eat Together cookbook home with me to my daughter.  She has always enjoyed cooking with her grandmother, I look forward to the days we can cook together.  This class made me feel like I can make a meal for her that tastes good and is still healthy.”