Vegetables serve as abundant, natural resources for vitamins A and C. Without these particular vitamins, the human body would cease to grow properly, fail to protect itself from dangerous infections and develop ocular malfunctions that could lead to blindness. So why do so many Americans neglect to eat the recommended servings of vegetable each day?

Perhaps their choices are due to the cost or availability of nutritious vegetables in grocery stores. Maybe they wish to grow them at home, but don't have enough space.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension Service have teamed up to show consumers how to save on grocery bills, develop healthier diets and enjoy delicious vegetables all at the same time– and all on their back porch.

"Lunch From The Land" is a new informational video available to the public which shows how easy it is for anyone to grow vegetables on a balcony, windowsill, porch or doorstep.

The nine-minute video presents container gardening as a fun and relaxing way to grow your own vegetables at home.

Louise Z. Moore, video script contributor and member of the Expanded Food, Nutrition and Education Program, says container gardening at home has become very popular in the Kentucky area.

"Gardening using containers on a porch or back step is definitely on the rise. Most people don't have the time or the space to grow a traditional garden," Moore said.

Covering everything from purchasing seeds and transplants to caring for a back porch garden, "Lunch From The Land" vividly illustrates how growing tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, squash and zucchini at home can be a rewarding and exciting experience for the whole family.

Through her work in EFNEP, Moore discovered very few Kentuckians are eating the way they should.

"Only one out of five Kentuckians consumes their recommended daily allowance of vegetables," Moore said. "‘Lunch From The Land' is a great way to learn how to improve your quality of life and have fun at the same time."

"Lunch From The Land" is available for $20 per copy. Learn how to lower your grocery bills, develop a healthier diet and grow delicious vegetables today.

To obtain your own copy of "Lunch From The Land," write the the University of Kentucky, Agriculture Communications Services,Instructional Video Library, RM 131 Scovell Hall, Lexington, KY 40546 or call 859-257-7218.