The CSREES' Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a unique program that currently operates in all 50 states and in American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It is designed to assist limited-resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to their personal development and the improvement of the total family diet and nutritional well- being. The EFNEP Program has been serving families and youth in Berkeley County since 1971. Currently, Harriett “Bunnie” Bennett is the Area Coordinator for the Coastal/Edisto Region (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Beaufort, Clarendon, Bamberg and Barnwell) she and is based in Berkeley County.

Adult EFNEP

Through an experiential learning process, adult program participants learn how to make food choices to improve the nutritional quality of the meals they serve their families. They increase their ability to select and buy food that meets the nutritional needs of their family. They gain new skills in food production, preparation, storage, safety and sanitation, and they learn to better manage their food budgets and related resources such as Food Stamps. EFNEP is delivered as a series of 10-12 or more lessons, often over several months, by paraprofessionals and volunteers, many of whom are indigenous to the target population. The hands-on, learn-by-doing approach allows the participants to gain the practical skills necessary to make positive behavior changes. Through EFNEP, participants learn self-worth -- that they have something to offer their families and society.

Youth EFNEP

The delivery of EFNEP youth programs takes on various forms. EFNEP provides nutrition education at schools as an enrichment of the curriculum, in after-school care programs and through 4-H EFNEP clubs, day camps, residential camps, community centers, neighborhood groups, and home gardening workshops, early childhood development centers. In addition to lessons on nutrition, food preparation, and food safety, youth topics may also include fitness, avoidance of substance abuse, and other health-related topics for older ages.

Program Delivery

County Extension agents or EFNEP Area Coordinators provide on-the-job training and supervise paraprofessionals and volunteers who teach EFNEP. Paraprofessionals usually live in the communities where they work. They recruit families and receive referrals from neighborhood contacts and community agencies (such as Food Stamps and WIC). Methods for program delivery may include direct teaching in group or one-to-one situations; mailings and telephone teaching to complement other teaching methods; mass media efforts to develop understanding, awareness, and involvement in the educational program; and development and training of volunteers to assist with direct teaching of adults and youth.

For more information, visit the EFNEP website.