The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) educates families with young children to help them learn to:

• Plan and prepare nutritious meals.
• Shop wisely and save money.
• Eat better.
• Store food safely.

For more than 30 years EFNEP has worked with families to improve diets and health. Today, many families still have serious nutrition problems than can affect their health. Research tells us that an improved diet can make a difference how chronic diseases affect people.

EFNEP participants are taught in small groups or individually by University of Illinois program assistants and community workers. Our staff provide information on what is needed for good nutrition, food buying skills, food preparation, and safe handling of foods.

EFNEP is for kids too!
Young people learn about making wise food choices and how to eat wisely. EFNEP sponsors 4-H nutrition clubs, nutrition day camps, cooking schools and many special events.

EFNEP's "Building Healthy Lifestyles" curriculum includes the following topics:

• The Food Guide Pyramid
• Eating Right During Pregnancy
• Feeding Your Baby
• Breakfast
• Food Safety
• Cooking
• Breastfeeding
• Feeding Children
• Healthy Snacks
• Getting the Most With Your Food Dollars
  Wellness Ways

Rock Island County Successes:

• Nutrition education with mothers and children
• Improved food budgeting so families can eat all month
• Nutrition education in the schools and after school programs
• Nutrition education in shelters and clinics
  Gardening projects that provide fresh produce for families
• Nutrition education in Spanish
• Excitement about healthy eating
• 94% of our families improved their diets
  

Who We Serve in Rock Island County:

• Close to 800 families are in EFNEP with more than 3,900people in their families.
• 59% of our families have children under 6 years old.
• 42% of EFNEP families receive Food Stamps, 9% have children in HeadStart, 42% receive public assistance, and 51% are enrolled in WIC.
• 68% of our homemakers are more than 21 years old.