EFNEP -- EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM

EFNEP is one of the best‑kept secrets in Escambia County — and we are working to change that! EFNEP is a free program for youth and families with limited resources. It is funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and managed by the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

EFNEP teaches families how to make healthier food choices and how to use their food money wisely. Participants learn basic nutrition, meal planning, shopping skills, cooking skills, and food safety. EFNEP classes are taught in small groups by nutrition educators. Youth usually attend six to nine sessions, and adults attend nine sessions.

When participants finish the EFNEP series, they receive a certificate of completion from the University of Florida.

Am I in the target audience?

If you care for young children and receive any of the following services, you qualify!

Adults – WIC, SNAP (Food Stamps), head start, free/reduced lunch, cash assistance and title 1.
Youth – Youth in schools, daycares, community centers, etc. with 51% or more free/reduced lunch qualify.

Adult EFNEP

EFNEP’s primary purpose is to give adults the skills they need to make nutritious choices for their families and ultimately
improve their overall health.
Series of lessons, group format.
Research based information – not internet based or personal opinion.
Certificate from University of Florida upon completion.
24 Hour Food Recall and Behavior Questionnaire at entry and exit.

EFNEP Curriculum

Hands-on food prep and tastings
Basic nutrition (nutrients, Choose MyPlate, reading food labels)
Meal planning, saving money on food
Physical activity (family friendly – Move More!)
Food safety
Healthy eating for pregnant moms and feeding your new baby

Locations

We teach classes at parent-focused organizations.
We also work with Faith-based organizations, Substance Abuse Treatment centers, Low-income Housing, Community Centers, and GED.

Youth EFNEP

4-H EFNEP is the youth component of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which provides education to young people age 5-18 with a practical, hands-on approach to nutrition and food preparation.
Learn by Doing concept
Locations – SCHOOLS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, COMMUNITY CENTERS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

History

During the 1960s, people began to realize that poverty and poor nutrition were closely connected. Many Americans were not only struggling financially but were also dealing with hunger and malnutrition. At the time, educational programs were not reaching many low-income families.

Several states ran pilot studies to find better ways to reach, teach, and support people living in poverty. The results of these studies helped identify what worked best. Based on these findings, EFNEP was created in 1969.

Three basic concepts arose from the pilots and served as guidelines for implementing EFNEP.

Existing home economics programs could be modified to effectively reach low-income audiences.
UF/IFAS Extension Program Managers can teach and supervise peer nutrition educators who, in turn, teach caregivers of young children and children ages 5 - 18.

A nutrition education program tailored to the needs, interests, competencies, and economical and educational levels of limited-resource families, and delivered by peer nutrition educators, who are indigenous to the target audience, can change participants’ buying, preparation, and eating habits.