The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a nutrition education program for food insecure limited-resource youth and families delivered through the Cooperative Extension Service in every state and U.S. territory. In Maryland, EFNEP is implemented through the University of Maryland Extension and is housed in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Maryland. EFNEP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ National Institute of Food and Agriculture and brings together federal, state, and local resources to teach limited-income families and youth about healthy eating and physical activity.
EFNEP helps families learn skills and strategies to feed their family nutritious meals on a limited budget, make healthier food choices at home and at the grocery store, improve food security and improve their overall health. The knowledge and skills acquired also help families and youth change behaviors that place them at long-term risk for overweight/obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.
EFNEP for Families
EFNEP for Families Uses a Skill building, Learner Centered Approach
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in Maryland utilizes evidence-based strategies to address diet and physical activity behaviors and reduce risk for food insecurity and chronic disease in families.
EFNEP focuses on diet quality, nutrition, better food resource management, and food safety. Our workshops are taught in a series and program participants receive10-12 lessons, often over several weeks. The classes are taught in small groups or individually and are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner.
EFNEP for Youth
EFNEP Teaches Youth to Make Healthier Drink and Snack Choices, Read Labels, Be Physically Active and Reduce Screen Time
Maryland EFNEP provides education to youth from 6-18 years old (K-12) at schools in after-school programs, in-school, through 4-H/EFNEP clubs, day camps, at community centers, neighborhood groups, gardening and cooking workshops. The EFNEP youth audience includes limited-income youths, living in low-income communities in Maryland.
Children and youth learn about healthy lifestyles: healthy food choices, food safety, food shopping, and increasing fun, safe, and sustainable physical activity, and reducing screen time.
Contact us for more information on Maryland EFNEP
Dr. Cheng-i Wei, Director, MD EFNEP wei@umd.edu
Learn more on our website: https://extension.umd.edu/efnep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDEFNEP/
U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
