Rural communities are at higher risk of food insecurity and nutritional deficiency. Because summer is a great time for families to set new goals to eat healthier and exercise more, Illinois Extension Educator Susan Sloop offered the Healthy Habits 12-Day Challenge in June.

Developed by the National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation, this challenge allowed families to commit to two weeks of eating healthier, being more active and mindful, and feeling a greater sense of connection with each other.

Using the influence of young people, teen teachers provided a portion of the daily online lessons. Each lesson included a mindful activity to facilitate being present in the moment, a physical activity to promote a healthy habit, and a kitchen activity to teach a skill or nutritional tip.

Before the challenge, registered families received a free kitchen essentials kit in the mail.