Improving food and nutrition knowledge and skills

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps adult and youth participants improve their nutrition and health. It promotes budget-friendly food choices by teaching skills in how to plan meals, shop wisely, and prepare affordable, nutritious foods. It empowers participants and builds self-confidence, leadership and lifelong healthy habits. By teaching food resource management and efficient use of available resources, EFNEP helps families increase food security.

Here are a few examples of that work:

• Among Oklahoma participants, 95% of adults improved diet quality, 93% strengthened food resource management skills and 76% increased physical activity, while youth adopted healthier beverage and snack choices, with 57% reducing sugary drinks and 34% increasing fruit consumption.
  Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Supported by Smith-Lever 3d capacity funds. See full statement.

• The team in Guam consistently shows positive impact, demonstrating that EFNEP effectively addresses not just knowledge gaps, but also behavior changes that lead to long-term health and financial benefits. They are expanding to emerging adults, ages 19-29, to help improve their nutrition.
  University of Guam Land Grant Extension Service. Supported by Smith-Lever 3d capacity funds. See full statement.

• Adults in Connecticut participate in an average of 11 lessons, offered in English and Spanish. Graduates increased their Healthy Eating Index scores from 52.9 to 56.6 and documented food cost savings.
  University of Connecticut Extension. Supported by Smith Lever 3d capacity funds; Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds. See full statement.

• Programs in Washington reached more than 278,000 residents through 4,062 classes and 42 school partnerships, improving diet quality, physical activity, food safety and healthy behaviors among youths and adults. These efforts also strengthened community capacity through provider trainings and online resources.
  Washington State University Extension. Supported by USDA Capacity – Extension; Smith-Lever 3d capacity funds. See full statement.

Photo courtesy of University of Guam Land Grant Extension Service.