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Maryland State Impacts

EFNEP IMPACTS
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
State of Maryland - 2004-2005
State Totals
  • Total Federal Funds (Adult & Youth): $721,849
  • Program Families: 2,400
  • Average Cost per Client: $404
  • Average Program Lessons: 6-8
  • Full-time Employees: 15
  • Total Funds from Maryland: $343,343
  • Matching County Funds: $246,683
  • Other Funds: $175,353
  • Total Funds: $1,487,228
The Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Maryland Cooperative Extension strives to educate low-income families and youth with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior changes necessary to maintain nutritionally sound diets and enhance personal development.

In 2004 the Bureau of the Census reported that more than 445,000 people in the state of Maryland lived in poverty; 10.1% of these people were under the age of 18 years. In 2004-2005 EFNEP assisted 8,239 family members plus an additional 9,226 youth; 28% of these participants had an income less than half the poverty level. After participating in EFNEP 90% of adults showed improvement in one or more food resource management practices; 94% showed improvement in one or more nutrition practices and 80% showed improvement in one or more of the food safety practices.

The main objective of EFNEP is to increase the number of healthy, well-nourished individuals and families among those with low incomes.

 Recent reports indicate that for every $1 spent on EFNEP, $10.64* is saved on health care costs related to food-borne and chronic illnesses and low birth weight babies. This corresponds to savings of more than $15.8 million in health care costs for Maryland from the adult program alone.

EFNEP's participants are mentored individually or in groups by Extension Nutrition Assistants for almost one year, while youth initiatives are conducted in year-round programs in public schools, after school programs, and by 4-H staff and volunteers during the summer. Adult participants are taught how to choose foods wisely while staying within a budget, prenatal and postnatal nutrition including the benefits of breastfeeding, the impact of diet and exercise, how to reduce the risk of chronic diseases through dietary and lifestyle changes, and safe food preparation and handling.

EFNEP Works With Diverse Audiences:
  • 42% African American
  • 42% Caucasian
  • 15% Hispanic
  • 1% Asian
Impact data tells us that EFNEP is cost-effective and Nutrition Education works.

Statewide Participant Profiles - 2004-2005
  • 28% Have incomes less than half the poverty level
  • 47% Receive food stamps
  • 51% Receive WIC benefits
  • 7% Receive TANF assistance
* Applying Cost Benefit Analysis to Nutrition Education Programs: Focus on the Virginia Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA, Washington, D.C., March 1999.

For more information, contact Terri Kieckhefer

Last updated: 03/23/2006