EFNEP is a nutrition education program conducted by University of Illinois Extension for low-income families with children and youth groups. EFNEP is designed to help families with limited resources make food choices that will improve the diet and health of the family by providing workshops with hands on learning activities, food demonstrations and discussions. The nutrition education program is planned to help families learn how to:

• Plan and prepare nutritious meals
• Manage their food dollar
• Shop wisely
• Handle food safely
• Obtain knowledge about food and nutrition

Trained University of Illinois Extension staff, who are indigenous to the community, teach adult participants in small groups. The workshops are conducted in schools, Head Start programs, and other community based programs. EFNEP staff use the Building Healthy Lifestyles and other research based curriculum including lessons on the following topics: The Food Guide Pyramid, Eating Right During Pregnancy, Feeding Young Children, Breakfast and Wellness Ways.

EFNEP also provides nutrition education to children enrolled in school programs from preschool to 12th grade. The youth program teaches children to make wise food choices and to begin learning how to develop good eating habits at an early age. EFNEP participates in 4-H Clubs, summer camps, day camps, school nutrition awareness programs and other special events.

All EFNEP workshops are designed to meet the needs of the participants and are taught in a facilitative manner. Participants enrolled in the program receive a graduation certificate upon completion of six or more lessons.