The federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, known as EFNEP, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, notes a news release distributed yesterday by the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. The release said a 40th anniversary celebration was held at the University of California Washington Center in Washington, DC, however, I couldn't find mention of the anniversary or the celebration in any online media outlets.

Each year, EFNEP helps more than 500,000 limited-resource family members make sound nutrition and health choices. County extension family and consumer science professionals provide training and supervise peer educators and volunteers who teach EFNEP in their local communities. There are EFNEP programs offered in 16 California counties, which serve 12,000 low-income residents each year.

California families have shared  in their evaluations that EFNEP has transformed their lives for the better. Some said they have changed what their family eats on a regular basis, switched to low-fat milk instead of whole milk and have fruit for snacks. Some report eating more vegetables and fruit and thawing meat and poultry in the refrigerator. Some walk daily, others play games with their children. Almost all use store ads and unit pricing to get the best shopping deals.