Penn State Nutrition Links

TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO EAT BETTER FOR LESS!

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

35 Years of Making a Difference

What is EFNEP?
Erie County's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides limited-resource audiences - especially those with young children - with the education, practical skills and support they need to change their eating behaviors and discover a healthier lifestyle. Erie County families enrolled in EFNEP don't get a handout; they get a hand-up. Along with better nutrition, the program promotes personal development and self-sufficiency. Program graduates are participating in educational programs, job readiness trainings and community volunteer opportunities as an additional benefit of the program.

Who is eligible?
Each year EFNEP's programs reach hundreds of Erie County's limited-resource families and pregnant teens. Families with young children who live within federal poverty guidelines, or who qualify for participation in the WIC program are eligible to participate in EFNEP.

How is the program delivered?
EFNEP nutrition education advisers are trained and supervised by Penn State Cooperative Extension educators and by University faculty and staff. Advisers teach a research-based curriculum and provide hands-on, learn-by-doing techniques to help participants gain the skills they need to make positive changes. Participants are taught in groups in collaboration with various agencies, schools and community centers throughout the county and in the city.

EFNEP benefits all ages…
Adults
EFNEP helps frequent users of emergency food systems to break the cycle of dependency. The program teaches participants how to:

• Stretch food dollars
  
• Plan and prepare tasty, healthful meals
  
• Feed babies and children
  
• Use food stamps and other resources wisely
  
• Handle food in a safe manner

EFNEP can be a valuable asset in developing job readiness. Plus, participants will be able to plan and prepare nutritious meals for themselves and the children in their households. Some of the ancillary benefits to program participants:

• Lose fewer workdays to personal illness or caring for a sick child
  
• Identify community resources
  
• Better manage money earned
  
• Make lifestyle changes to balance home and work
  
• Complete an education goal

Pregnant teens
Nutrition education advisers offer a series of lessons developed for pregnant teens and adapted to reach pregnant adults, non-pregnant teens, husbands and boyfriends. The goal is to prepare participants for the responsibility of raising healthy families. The lessons focus on:

• Foods pregnant women should eat
  
• Healthy weight gain
  
• Eating habits that ease pregnancy discomforts
  
• Fetal development
  
• Substance abuse dangers
  
• Breast and formula feeding
  
• Solid foods for infants

For more information or to make a referral, please contact the EFNEP staff at Penn State Cooperative Extension in Erie County at (814) 825-0900 or at erie.extension@psu.edu.

EFNEP is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES). The federal funds for EFNEP are based on the percentage of families at or below the poverty level in each state. Programs are administered through the state land-grant institutions. The program currently operates in all 50 states and in America Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.