The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federal nutrition education program funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The program currently operates through the Land Grant Universities in every state, the District of Columbia, and the six U.S. territories - American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
EFNEP improves the health and well-being of limited-resource families and youth. Program participants acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behaviors that support healthy eating and active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
EFNEP is administered through Oregon State University Extension Service and is currently active in nine of Oregon’s 36 counties. OSU Extension EFNEP educators work in communities where program participants live, teaching both adults and youth how to improve their diets, be more physically active, stretch their food dollars, and handle their food safely.
Annual impact data confirms that program graduates make improvements in four core areas – diet quality and physical activity; food resource management; food safety; and food security. Partnerships are a key component of Oregon EFNEP.