EFNEP - Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Coastal Area Success Stories
Rosa Nell, Charleston “Joy”
In 2003, I began working with homemaker CP. She was in her early 30’s, she had post secondary education, and CP and her four children were living with her parents. At the time, I did not understand why CP came to a point in her life where she was experiencing “hard times.” Later I understood. During the time she was enrolled in EFNEP, she would attend the classes inconsistently. The times she would attend, she always lingered after everyone left to discuss what she was taught and she shared intimate things about her life with me. After one of the class discussions she told me she had been diagnosed with cancer and was recently released from the hospital. That day CP gave me a piece of paper that had the following written on it:
Ms. Nell, I have really enjoyed these nutrition classes. I have learned how to balance my meals. I was overloading on fats, carbohydrates and had way too much sugar. As a result of your class, I am now eating more vegetables and drinking plenty of water. I appreciate you, the way you express your joy of cooking, sharing of recipes, and your knowledge of nutrition with us.
CP died last year. I do not know whether an early change in her diet would have cured her of cancer, but it is my belief that because of changes in her diet CP’s life was prolonged. It was a “Joy” to have known CP for 2 years.
Linda W. Hudson, Bamberg County “Making Good Choices”
In Bamberg County, youth were taught nutrition lessons by NEA Hudson at a local church during the summer of 2006. Hudson taught the youth how to make good choices from MyPyramid, with emphasis on including more activities into their day. During the finale of the program the children demonstrated to their parents what they learned. This included the five food groups and why we need to make wise choices from each group and why exercising is very important to having balance with the food they eat for growth development. The participants had a Jump Rope competition on the last day. Parents were empowered to have their children share with them the knowledge gain. Parents were taught by their children.
Loretta Fleming, Beaufort County “Tire Gardens”
Helping preschoolers learn how to plant, cultivate and harvest foods is what NEA Fleming enjoy to do.
Early Childhood Development Centers (CDC) in Beaufort has appreciated the service that NEA Fleming provides. NEA Fleming utilizes the concept of teamwork. She utilizes the services of other educators in her office. One of her successful project is the “Tire Gardens” at a local CDC. The children were led by agriculture agent York Glover in planting strawberries, green beans, and carrots. Glover coordinates duties each week for the children. When the crops were harvest NEA Fleming prepares various dishes with the children helping in the preparations. Delicious green beans, carrots and strawberry jam are a few of the foods use in the preparations. She provides recipes for children to take home for parents. When parents run into NEA Fleming in the supermarket and other places they always comment on how well their child loved the “Tire Gardens”. This project was successful and has centers on the waiting list to participate.
Mamie Hilton, Clarendon County “Planning A Meal with Homemaker 061”
This homemaker was 37 years old when she enrolled with one daughter. She needed help in meal planning, shopping for foods, and management of her resources. Lessons on low fat, low sodium and sugar were taught. Because of limited income the homemaker received help in stretching her food dollars; referral to local food bank was made. Homemaker 061 was taught how to use many items she received from the food bank monthly. One of the items was pinto beans. We prepared chili using the beans and other recipes were provided for her using this item and others.
She began to utilize the local supermarket sales paper to help her in planning meals. She was able to purchase a small freezer to better utilize her resources of buying foods on specials. Homemaker 061 became a worker with the local food bank and a graduated of the program.
Ruby Boyd, Dorchester County “Local EFNEP Youth a National 4-H Winner”
Young BF became a leader participating in EFNEP program with NEA Ruby Boyd. BF had difficulties in his young life, but that didn’t stop him from becoming a leader. His project in 4-H was food and nutrition education. NEA Boyd taught him well and he mastered measuring, and utilization of kitchen equipments and utensils. BF entered the 4-H competition at the Coastal Carolina Fair and won first place in the senior eggonomics competition.
BF also competed in the local county Poultry Barbecue Competition and won first place and a trip to participate at the state competition where he won second place in this competition.
He didn’t stop there. With hard work and dedication he went on to win first place in the state eggonomics competition with a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to compete in the national poultry and egg contest. He placed in the top 10 in Eggonomics Competition. He prepared an egg dish and did a verbal presentation on the nutritional value of eggs. BF won a $100 savings bond and a bronze medal.
BF also was president of his local club and attending SC 4-H Congress held at Clemson University.
Joyce Pringle, Berkeley County “Pringle Helps”
AH, a 27 year old without use of legs. A car accident left this EFNEP participant paralyzed since age of 2 years old. NEA Pringle met AH at a local supermarket. She provided information to create interest to AH about the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). After she enrolled client in EFNEP, she taught AH how to utilize the range; because of a fear, AH was not using the range although this was an apartment equipped for the physically challenged. Planning and preparing nutritious meals were also taught. “Food and kitchen safety education along with maintaining a healthy environment” were additional lessons AH stated that NEA Pringle had taught when interviewed, by a local reporter in an article featured in the local paper.
Yvonne McMillan, Barnwell County Success Stories
Department of Social Services referred Homemaker #115. Due to certain circumstances, we were unable to perform the lessons in her home so we made arrangements for her to meet at my office. I have to admit that I thought this would be of great challenge working with this homemaker, but I was wrong.
Homemaker #115 was quite a joy to work with – always on time, never missing a concession without contacting me, very cooperative, and most of all was a person who was eager and wanted to learn. Homemaker #115 had two boys and they were taken away from her before she began taking these classes. After taking the EFNEP classes, she was able to get her boys back.
Homemaker #115 wrote an excerpt upon her graduation which had the following written:
“My name is ------ and I am an upcoming graduate of the 2004 EFNEP program. Upon starting the program, I had no idea how to read a food label or plan a menu properly. I didn’t even know what foods gave what vitamins and such. Since attending this program, I can now make healthy choices for my family. My family enjoys the good and healthy snacks I have learned about. I can now understand the food labels and make good choices when I shop. I now make a menu for the week and it is so easy. Not only did I learn about nutrition, but how to eat healthy at a low cost. I’ve learned about coupons, comparing cost, name brands and store brands. I have learned a lot from this program and I would highly recommend it to others. I would also like to add that my teacher was wonderful. I never left one time not understanding the lesson or with an unanswered question”.