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Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
What is EFNEP?
EFNEP is the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland Extension. The major goals of EFNEP are to help limited-income families and youth acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior changes necessary for health/wellness and prevention of chronic disease . For more information about EFNEP contact Dr. Mira Mehta.
In 2008-2009 EFNEP Educators reached 2,007 individuals, 7,665 families and 8,849 youth in after school and school based programs. EFNEP families are taught in small groups or individually by EFNEP educators. The majority of participants complete the EFNEP workshop series in less than 12 months.
EFNEP Youth are taught in summer or year-round programs. Since 1994 EFNEP has reached more than 100,000 youth ages 5-15 years with their healthy eating, wellness and food safety workshops.
What Does EFNEP Do?
EFNEP teaches participants to:
- Choose healthy foods for your family
- Make healthy food choices during pregnancy and while breast-feeding
- Choose nutritious snacks for children
- Lose weight sensibly
- Compare prices and save on your food bill
- Plan and prepare healthy meals
- Handle and store foods safely
- Prepare new foods and recipes
- Become physically active
EFNEP's Primary Target is Low-income Families who utilize the Food Stamp Program (Supplemental Nutrition Education Programs)
EFNEP Participant Profiles in Maryland in 2008-2009
- 41% have children under six years old
- 13% have incomes less than half the poverty level
- 41% receive food stamps
- 47% receive WIC benefits
- 8% receive TANF assistance
- 39% African American
- 48% Caucasian
- 13% other
- 23% Hispanic/Latino (of any race)
EFNEP collaborates with the following:
- WIC offices
- Food Stamp (SNAP) offices
- The Head Start Program
- GED Programs
- Health and recreation centers
- Public housing Projects
- Family support groups
- School parent groups
- Schools for teenage mothers
- Centers for recovering addicts
- Transitional housing groups
- Churches
- The Salvation Army
- The American Cancer Society
- Over 270 community collaborators
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For more information, contact Terri Kieckhefer
Last updated: 11/4/2009