What is EFNEP?
The
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (
EFNEP) is the nation’s first nutrition education program for low-income populations and remains at the forefront of nutrition education efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youth today. EFNEP is a Federal Extension (community outreach) program that currently operates through the 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Universities (LGUs) in every state, the District of Columbia, and the six U.S. territories. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA), EFNEP uses education to support participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health, and well-being. EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
EFNEP in Nevada
In Nevada, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program is administered by University of Nevada, Reno, - Nevada’s Land Grant University, to engage adults and youth to boost nutrition through building basic skills. Participants learn how to read food labels, save money on groceries, plan meals, safely handle food, make healthy food choices, and be more active. All materials are available in English and Spanish, and programming is presented by paraprofessionals in classrooms and community centers in Southern Nevada (Clark & Nye counties, currently). The classes are 90 minutes long and are taught weekly for nine weeks. The EFNEP team also conducts outreach activities and events, reaching additional individuals and families in this underserved population, further expanding the impact of the program.
