Expanded Food and Nutrition
Education Program (EFNEP)
County extension professionals provide on-the-job
training and supervise paraprofessionals
and volunteers who teach EFNEP—NIFA's Expanded
Food and Nutrition Education Program.
EFNEP paraprofessionals usually live in the
communities where they work. They recruit
families and receive referrals from neighborhood
contacts and community agencies (for example,
Food Stamps and WIC).
Methods for EFNEP program delivery may include:
- Direct teaching in group or one-to-one
situations.
- Mailings and telephone teaching.
- Mass media efforts to promote the educational
program.
- Development and training of volunteers
to assist with direct teaching of adults
and youth.
The delivery of EFNEP youth programs takes
on various forms. EFNEP provides nutrition
education at schools as an enrichment of
the curriculum; in after-school care programs;
through 4-H EFNEP clubs, day camps, residential
camps, community centers, and neighborhood
groups; and in home gardening workshops.
In addition to lessons on nutrition, food
preparation, and food safety, youth lessons
may also include fitness, avoidance of substance
abuse, and other health-related topics.
EFNEP impact reports on the EFNEP Web site
include data and evaluations on the various
EFNEP components. EFNEP success stories describe
how EFNEP benefits have helped low-income
audiences acquire good nutrition habits through
new knowledge and changed behaviors.
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