Improving quality of life through increasing availability of local foods has been a significant issue for Barren County. Barren County Cooperative Extension Service has addressed this issue through support of the farmers markets in various locations around the county. In addition to making local food available, helping consumers learn proper preparation techniques is an added benefit of participating in farmers markets. In Barren County, more than 300 people have reported that extension programming at farmers markets has encouraged them to purchase products that they would not have purchased before because they now know how to use the products. Additionally, farmers market vendors are reporting an increase in foot traffic and sales as more people are searching for fresh products that they have seen demonstrated in extension programs.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Barren county, please click the link.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
ACCESS TO LOCAL FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
INCREASING CHILDREN'S FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION
In Ballard County, children are not getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diets, nor are they getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. In the spring, the Ballard County Cooperative Extension service partnered with Ballard County Schools to educate 97 second-grade students on the importance of having a balanced diet and getting enough exercise. Cooperative Extension professionals and volunteers, presented lessons from the "From Farm to Table," "Literacy and Eating for Primary Health," and "Professor Popcorn" curricula. Results indicated that 85 percent of students knew the correct amount of vegetables and fruits to consume each day for good health. Ninety-five percent said they planned to ask their parents to provide more fruits and vegetables in their meal planning.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Ballard county, please click the link.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
MAKING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES
Often, senior adults may lack the funds, energy, and desire to prepare a variety of nutritious foods. The Anderson County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences agent prepared new recipes featuring fruits and vegetables that were served to 164 seniors over six visits to the local senior citizens center. More than 95 percent of seniors sampled the recipe. About 50 percent of those seniors who said they would not like the food prior to tasting later asked for the recipe. On subsequent visits, 50 percent of the group said they had prepared the recipe at least once at home since the lesson. Seniors improved the nutritive value of their meals and added color and texture to stimulate their appetite.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Anderson county, please click the link.
BEEF IN THE CLASSROOM
The rising costs of consumer beef products, coupled with national food safety concerns could affect Allen County families' grocery choices. To increase awareness of food safety and the nutritional benefits of beef as part of personal health lifestyle choices, a six-session "Beef in the Classroom" program was presented by Allen County Family and Consumer Sciences agent to the high school culinary class. Classroom sessions focused on an overview of the local cattle industry, with special focus on food-borne illness and preventive standards utilized by both producer and families during purchase, storage and preparation. The thirteen students developed food purchase skills targeting lean beef cut recognition and preparation techniques using lower fat cuts. Student evaluations indicated that 80 percent increased skills in beef carcass cut identification for healthier cut selection.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Allen county, please click the link.
PLATE IT UP! KENTUCKY PROUD
Less than 20 percent of the adult population eats the recommended number of fruit and vegetable servings. To increase consumption of a healthy diet the Adair County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent provided statewide direction for the Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud project. The goal is to promote purchase and preparation of locally grown specialty crops through demonstrations and educational outreach. Selection and storage, nutritional value, and preservation tips are also shared. A monthly televised cooking show featuring the program has been airing on Duo County Telecom for one year. In addition, Adair County FCS and Agricultural Resources agents served tasting samples of Plate It Up recipes to over 150 shoppers at the Adair County Farmers' Market last summer and 650 consumers at a local corporate event.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Adair county, please click the link.
