By AMANDA CARTER, Post intern
Posted: Sunday, July 20, 2008 9:00 am

The Farrington family, husband, David, wife, Kristie, son, Mathon, and twin girls, Paige and Perri, 6, started receiving their rewards Wednesday.

The five-member Farrington family has a refrigerator full of new food, and a new perspective of eating.

The family was first-time winner of the refrigerator makeover, sponsored by Publix, The Murfreesboro Post and the Rutherford County Health Department.

“I can’t believe we actually won!” an excited, 8-year-old Mathon Farrington said.

The Farrington family, husband, David, wife, Kristie, son, Mathon, and twin girls, Paige and Perri, 6, started receiving their rewards Wednesday when the family met with a dietitian.

They were first surveyed on an array of questions, some of which included inquiries regarding frequently cooked meals, health problems, eating out and their junk food intake.

“It’s a journey, not a one-time step (to health),” said Beth Allen, a registered dietitian with the health department.

Allen also gave healthy eating tips and suggestions to the family, including easier meal preparations. She visited the family Friday to throw out all unhealthy foods, and accompanied them grocery shopping.

“We found out we did a lot of things right, but we are in a rut – we eat the same things over and over,” said Kristie Farrington, mother and wife.

Every family member was assigned a set goal to reach and will be checked up on periodically.

“They know what to do, but it’s a matter of being motivated and actually doing it,” Allen said.

The Murfreesboro Post Web site informed the family about the makeover.

They then decided to apply, mostly, admits Farrington, for “the free groceries,” but they received much more than that.

“We learned how to improve choices in food, and we will receive a whole month’s menu written out,” Farrington said. “ We learned all kinds of new information.”

The family all agreed to try and sample new foods, which fixed a problem.

“They are very limited on what they buy,” answered Allen when asked about the family’s current health choices.

Phone numbers from the health department were given to the family for any questions. The department’s main goal is for the family to open the refrigerator, and find quick and healthy meals.

“They are just a very typical young family, who gets caught up in what’s quick and easy,” Allen said. “They are not making health a priority, which is most people.”

The Refrigerator Makeover drew 22 entries. The winner must have met several criteria, including being a resident of Rutherford County.

“We wanted to pick a family that could use a makeover and make a real improvement on what they ate,” Allen said.

If the outcome proves well, another makeover will follow in the future.