EFNEP stands for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. It's a USDA program that provides nutrition education to low-income families and youth. The program aims to improve the nutritional well-being of participants by teaching them how to make healthy food choices, manage food budgets, and handle food safely.
What is EFNEP?
EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) is a federally-funded nutrition education program (NIFA/USDA) administered in all 50 states as well as US territories and Washington, DC.
EFNEP uses community nutrition educators to deliver series-based lessons. Started in 1969, EFNEP has been going strong for over 50 years!
EFNEP education focuses on four core areas: Diet Quality and Physical Activity, Food Resource Management, Food Safety and Food Security.
Adult Program
Our adult lesson series uses the Eating Smart, Being Active curriculum and covers topics including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and label reading as well as strategies for saving money on food, food safety, physical activities, and recipe demonstrations. Participants receive a lesson enhancement item at each class to reinforce what they have learned. Classes are available in English and Spanish.
Youth Program
EFNEP partners with teachers at eligible schools to provide students with 6 grade-specific lessons each school year. Each session includes interactive Common Core-aligned lessons and worksheets, family handouts, and food tastings. Lesson topics include MyPlate, Fruits and Vegetables, Sleep, Exercise, and Healthy Beverages. The EFNEP youth program serves grades K-12.
EFNEP programming is available at no-cost to qualifying participants.
Interested in participating in EFNEP?
Contact Leah Sourbeer, EFNEP Program Supervisor for Contra Costa and Alameda Counties
More information about California EFNEP can be found at https://efnep.ucanr.edu/