EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EFNEP) - 2022 IMPACTS - Improving Nutritional Security Through Education

Oct 15, 2026

2022 impacts highlight how the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) advances nutritional security through education for low-income families and youths. The program supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s five-pillar approach by improving access and affordability, integrating nutrition and health, empowering healthy choices, encouraging physical activity, and strengthening research and food security practices. FY 2022 results show widespread participation among people of color and reported behavior improvements, including greater dietary improvement among adults. EFNEP funding and delivery through Cooperative Extension reach millions of households and expand workforce development and appropriate technology use.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

2022 IMPACTS

Improving Nutritional Security Through Education

Reaching Low-Income Families

Reaching Diverse Populations

EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EF NE P) WWW. NI FA . USDA . GOV | @USDA_ NI FA | USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER, EMPLOYER AND LENDER 2022 IMPACTS IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL SECURITY THROUGH EDUCATION A MESSAGE FROM E FN EP The Biden-Harris Administration hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on September 28, 2022. The Conference was the first of its kind in more than 50 years and catalyzed the public and private sectors around a corresponding National Strategy. Both the Conference and National Strategy were designed to accelerate progress and drive transformative change in the U.S. to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, and close the disparities surrounding them using the following five-pillar approach: 1. Improve food access and affordability. 2. Integrate nutrition and health. 3. Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices. 4. Support physical activity for all. 5. Enhance nutrition and food security research. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the nation’s first federal nutrition education program for low-income populations, has a critical role in accelerating progress for all five pillars. Without question, accelerating equity in programming has long been a priority of EFNEP. Historically underserved populations with limited financial resources are often people of color and at increased risk for diet-related diseases. Consistently, more than half of EFNEP participants are people of color and/or Hispanic ethnicity – 70% of adults and 65% of youths/children in FY 2022. EFNEP is also integral to the success of food and nutrition security efforts within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through which it is funded. Since 1969, when EFNEP began, it has reached more than 34 million low-income families and youths. EFNEP is conducted by the Cooperative Extension System through Land-grant Institutions in all U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia. Using a peer-led education model to support program participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency and nutritional health and well-being, EFNEP remains at the forefront of nutrition education efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youths today. EFNEP contributes to nutrition security as program families and youths gained knowledge and skills for healthier food and physical activity choices, increased food resource management (shopping and food preparation), food safety, and improved food security practices to keep healthy in challenging times. Consistent with previous years, adult and youth participants in FY 2022 reported improved behaviors following program involvement. More than 90% of adult EFNEP participants reported improvement in what they ate. National EFNEP priorities for FY 2022 included facilitating workforce development, increasing program reach and increasing appropriate use of technology in teaching. USDA NIFA leadership convened a six-session training series for all program coordinators nationwide. This timely series helped offset COVID-19 pandemic effects, such as program disruptions, staff burnout and changes in programmatic leadership. Program participation for both adults and youths increased, although not to pre-pandemic levels, and universities reported plans to increase their use of technology in program delivery, even as pandemic constraints were loosened. This report reflects how EFNEP continues to make a difference in the lives of low-income families and youths, even and especially in times of adversity. To learn more about EFNEP, see Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) | National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA.USDA.GOV) . For more information on USDA and NIFA’s approach to Food and Nutrition Security, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, National Strategy on Hunger, Nutriti

FAQs

What is EFNEP and what role does it play in nutritional security?

EFNEP is the nation’s first federal nutrition education program for low-income populations. It accelerates progress across food access, nutrition and health integration, healthy choices, physical activity support, and nutrition and food security research.

How extensive is EFNEP’s reach and participation?

EFNEP reaches more than 34 million low-income families and youths since 1969. For FY 2022, adults and youths participated through Cooperative Extension partners nationwide, with educators tailoring lessons to participant needs.

What FY 2022 behavior improvements did participants report?

Consistent with previous years, adult and youth participants reported improved behaviors. More than 90% of adult EFNEP participants reported improvement in what they ate.

Oct 15, 2026

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