2018 IMPACTS THE EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM - EFNEP - Improving Nutritional Security through Education

Oct 15, 2026

2018 EFNEP advances improving nutritional security through education, targeting nutrition insecurity driven by poor nutrition, limited physical activity, unsafe food practices, and food insecurity. The program is implemented by land-grant institutions via Cooperative Extension, supported by federal and partner efforts and delivered through peer educators and trained professionals. EFNEP serves close to 500,000 low-income adults and youth yearly, with outcome data showing 90%+ reporting improved behaviors and cumulative reach surpassing 33 million families since 1969.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

A Message from EFNEP

Improving Nutritional Security through Education

2018 Reach and Outcomes

Reaching Low-Income Families

Poverty Line Snapshot

Reaching Diverse Populations

Minority Participation

Shared Stories

Community Gardens

Disaster Preparedness

Youth Nutrition and Cooking Skills

2018 IMPACTS THE EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EFNEP) Improving Nutritional Security through Education United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture @USDA_NIFA [www.nifa.usda.gov/efnep](www.nifa.usda.gov/efnep) A MESSAGE FROM EFNEP Nutrition insecurity, reflected by poor nutrition, limited physical activity, unsafe food practices, and food insecurity is a significant national health concern. Poor health disproportionately affects minority and low-income populations. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is the nation’s first nutrition education program and remains at the forefront of educational efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youth today. Funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), EFNEP supports program participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency and nutritional health and well-being. EFNEP also combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to improve its effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. Collectively, 76 land-grant institutions deliver EFNEP through Cooperative Extension. Other federal programs and public and private efforts have joined with EFNEP to improve this nation’s nutritional health and well-being. EFNEP’s uniqueness lies in its deep community roots, university connections, and in hiring and training peer educators to teach low-income families to develop healthier behaviors. Peer educators help families understand and apply credible and practical nutrition information. EFNEP reaches close to 500,000 low-income adults and youth in rural and urban communities each year. EFNEP’s success is largely due to its dedicated staff of professionals, peer educators, and volunteers; support of champions and partners; and the commitment of youth and adult participants who change their lives and then contribute in other ways to their families and communities. Each year, EFNEP produces measurable evidence that shows how low-income families succeed when they have access to NIFA programs. EFNEP exemplifies how NIFA’s promotion of science with purpose can achieve tangible positive outcomes for families, communities, and society. Contemporary research and accountability reporting illustrate EFNEP’s high positive return on investment. Annual data consistently shows that more than 90 percent of adult EFNEP participants report improved behaviors following program involvement. Although research is limited, there is some evidence* that improved behaviors are sustained. Since 1969, EFNEP has reached more than 33 million lowincome families and youth. Participants enhance their health by improving their nutrition, food safety, and physical activity practices. Helen Chipman National Program Leader Food and Nutrition Education *EFNEP Research and Cost Benefit Studies: [https://nifa.usda.gov/efnep-research-and-cost-benefit-studies](https://nifa.usda.gov/efnep-research-and-cost-benefit-studies) *EFNEP Reports: [https://reeis.usda.gov/reports-and-documents/efnep](https://reeis.usda.gov/reports-and-documents/efnep) IMPROVING LIVES REACHING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES 81% of EFNEP participants who reported income are at or below the poverty line, earning $25,100 a year or less for a family of four. 19% of families were above the poverty line 2,890 $46,435 for a family of four 9,971 81% of families were at or below the poverty line 8,203 12,627 $25,100 for a family of four $18,825 for a family of four $12,550 for a family of four 35,556 participants In 2018, NIFA received $67.9 million for land-grant university Cooperative Extension partners to conduct EFNEP in all 50 states, six U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. EFNEP employed 1,822 educators who are members of the communities they serve. In turn, EFNEP educators worked directly with 90,325 adults and 345,550 youth. These educators tailored lessons on diet qual

FAQs

What problems does EFNEP aim to address?

EFNEP targets nutrition insecurity linked to poor nutrition, limited physical activity, unsafe food practices, and food insecurity. It also notes that poor health disproportionately affects minority and low-income populations.

How is EFNEP delivered across the United States?

EFNEP is delivered through Cooperative Extension by 76 land-grant institutions. It combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data, and it uses peer educators who teach practical nutrition information to low-income families.

What outcomes does EFNEP report from participant behavior?

Annual data reported for EFNEP shows that more than 90% of adult participants report improved behaviors after program involvement. The document also references evidence that improved behaviors may be sustained.

Oct 15, 2026

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