What is EFNEP?
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a nutrition education program for families with young children. This Washington State University Extension program delivers research-based information and education in the home, the classroom, and community group settings to help participants make better nutrition and health decisions.
EFNEP is available to families with limited resources Families enroll in the program and learn about healthy food choices, food safety and stretching the food dollar through a series of 7+ lessons. This program is free to qualified participants.
How is the Program Delivered?
The program is administered through WSU Pierce County Extension in cooperation with community partners. Paraprofessionals, called nutrition education assistants, are hired from within the communities where they work. They are trained, supported and supervised by Washington State Extension faculty and staff.
Our nutrition education assistants deliver informal and easily accessible educational programs in community meeting places. They teach families practical skills in healthy eating, food safety, and budgeting, and feeding young children. Programs take into account variables such as age, culture, reading ability, and physical or developmental limitations. Programs are available in Spanish, Russian, Cambodian and Chinese.
What is Offered?
Lessons based on the MyPyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans teach participants how to make good choices to improve the nutritional quality of the meals they serve their families. Through experiential learning, participants can increase their ability to:
- select and buy food that meets the nutritional needs of their families
- gain new skills in food preparation, storage, safety, and sanitation
- learn to better manage food budgets
- emphasize family physical activities while limiting screen time
- choose healthy fast foods
EFNEP program lessons, food demonstrations, displays, handouts, and other activities designed for parents and pregnant teens. After completing the series of lessons, parents receive:
- A resource book with recipes and valuable nutrition tips
- A Certificate of Completion form Washington State University
For more information on the EFNEP program contact:
Merrianneeta Nesbitt 253.798.3252.
USDA EFNEP Video
More about EFNEP
EFNEP is a unique program that serves limited income families in five Washington counties – Clark, King, Pierce, Spokane and Yakima. For almost 40 years, evaluation data have shown that Washington EFNEP participants consistently improve their diets, make wiser food choices, and better manage their food budgets. Community partnerships are a key component of EFNEP. In Pierce County, our partners include:
Des Moines Food Bank
Eastside Family Support Center
Federal Way Food Bank
Food Connection
Fort Lewis WIC
Head Start
Holy Family Church
Indo Chinese Service Center
Intercommunity Mercy Housing
Kent Community Service Center
Metropolitan Development
MOMS Recovery Group
Parkland Manor
Perinatal Services
Prosperity House
SE Asian Food Bank
SeaMar Health Clinic
Tacoma Community House
Tacoma Rescue Mission
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