Free, family-friendly event Oct. 10 at Camp Landing features health screenings, interactive booths and hands-on activities for kids

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2026) – Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) Deputy Commissioner Warren Beeler will speak on "Food Is Medicine" at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Healthy Hoopla, a free community health and wellness fair for families at Camp Landing, 10699 U.S. 60 in Ashland. The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beeler will highlight KDA's work with the Kentucky Hospital Association on a statewide Food is Medicine (FIM) initiative. Through the initiative, more than 60 Kentucky hospitals — including UK King’s Daughters — are participating in FIM work. Kentucky’s FIM initiative is an all-hands-on-deck approach to provide Kentuckians not only with access to local and healthier foods but the opportunity to use that access to improve their health. It also focuses on using locally produced products in medical interventions in order to create economic growth for Kentucky’s producers.

"It’s an honor to represent KDA and Commissioner Shell at this year’s Healthy Hoopla,” Deputy Commissioner Beeler said. “Food is Medicine helps hospitals put nutrition at the center of patient care and buy more food from Kentucky farmers. The goal is better health for patients, lower health care costs and a dependable market for local producers."

“Kentucky’s hospitals see every day how access to nutritious food can affect a person’s health,” said Melanie Landrum, interim CEO of the Kentucky Hospital Association. “By working with agriculture partners and local producers, hospitals can help address food insecurity, support healthier communities and strengthen Kentucky’s local food economy.”

“When evaluating how to better serve our communities, prioritizing proper nutrition and reducing food insecurity always are among our initiatives,” said Sara Marks, UK King’s Daughters president and CEO. “The Food is Medicine program fits perfectly with our work and reinforces our support for local farmers.

Healthy Hoopla offers something for every age. Attendees can visit more than 25 health education booths covering topics including mental health, heart disease and cancer, take advantage of free health screenings, and meet health professionals representing a variety of medical specialties. Walk-through exhibits, including Mega Colon and Mega Lungs, offer a hands-on look at how the body works.

For a healthy snack with a twist, visitors can try the smoothie bike, a stationary bike with a blender attached that uses human power to blend ingredients into a free smoothie.

Activities for children and families include:

• A petting zoo and balloon sculpting

• Free inflatables sponsored by Camp Landing

• A free $10 Malibu Jack's voucher for play at attractions and games

• Safety City, featuring fire trucks, an ambulance, and other vehicles

• Free Tennis Time, "Kids & Their Grown-Up"

• Tap That Sports HD sports simulators and karaoke, free during the Healthy Hoopla trial opportunity

• A meet and greet with UK's Wally Cat and the UK King's Daughters K-9 Team

• The "Kindness Butterfly" activity, presented with local schools' Family Resource and Youth Service Centers

The first 200 attendees will receive free giveaways for the whole family and a treat from Whit's Frozen Custard. Free transportation to the event will be available via the Ashland Bus System every 30 minutes.

Healthy Hoopla is sponsored by the City of Ashland, Boyd County Government, Camp Landing Entertainment District, Malibu Jack's, UK King's Daughters, UK King's Daughters Health Foundation, and UK HealthCare.

To learn more about the Food Is Medicine initiative, please visit foodismedicineky.com.