EFNEP 2018 Annual Report

2018 IMPACTS

THE EXPANDED FOOD AND
NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM

(EFNEP)

Improving Nutritional
Security through Education
United States
Department of
Agriculture

National Institute
of Food and
Agriculture

@USDA_NIFA
www.nifa.usda.gov/efnep

A MESSAGE FROM EFNEP
Nutrition insecurity, reflected by poor nutrition, limited physical activity, unsafe
food practices, and food insecurity is a significant national health concern. Poor
health disproportionately affects minority and low-income populations. The
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is the nation’s first
nutrition education program and remains at the forefront of educational efforts to
reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youth today. Funded by the
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), EFNEP supports program
participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency and nutritional health and well-being.
EFNEP also combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to
improve its effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
Collectively, 76 land-grant institutions deliver EFNEP through Cooperative
Extension. Other federal programs and public and private efforts have joined
with EFNEP to improve this nation’s nutritional health and well-being. EFNEP’s
uniqueness lies in its deep community roots, university connections, and in hiring
and training peer educators to teach low-income families to develop healthier
behaviors. Peer educators help families understand and apply credible and
practical nutrition information. EFNEP reaches close to 500,000 low-income
adults and youth in rural and urban communities each year.
EFNEP’s success is largely due to its dedicated staff of professionals, peer
educators, and volunteers; support of champions and partners; and the
commitment of youth and adult participants who change their lives and then
contribute in other ways to their families and communities. Each year, EFNEP
produces measurable evidence that shows how low-income families succeed when
they have access to NIFA programs. EFNEP exemplifies how NIFA’s promotion of
science with purpose can achieve tangible positive outcomes for families,
communities, and society.
Contemporary research and accountability reporting illustrate EFNEP’s high
positive return on investment. Annual data consistently shows that more than 90
percent of adult EFNEP participants report improved behaviors following program
involvement. Although research is limited, there is some evidence* that improved
behaviors are sustained. Since 1969, EFNEP has reached more than 33 million lowincome families and youth. Participants enhance their health by improving their
nutrition, food safety, and physical activity practices.

Helen Chipman
National Program Leader
Food and Nutrition Education
*EFNEP Research and Cost Benefit Studies:
https://nifa.usda.gov/efnep-research-and-cost-benefit-studies
*EFNEP Reports: https://reeis.usda.gov/reports-and-documents/efnep

IMPROVING LIVES

REACHING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
81% of EFNEP participants who reported income are at or below the
poverty line, earning $25,100 a year or less for a family of four.
2,890
19% of families
were above the
poverty line

9,971

81% of families
were at or below
the poverty line

8,203

$46,435 for a
family of four

$25,100 for a
family of four
$18,825 for a
family of four

12,627
$12,550 for a
family of four

35,556
participants

In 2018, NIFA received $67.9 million for land-grant university Cooperative
Extension partners to conduct EFNEP in all 50 states, six U.S. territories, and the
District of Columbia. EFNEP employed 1,822 educators who are members of
the communities they serve. In turn, EFNEP educators worked directly with
90,325 adults and 345,550 youth. These educators tailored lessons on diet
quality and physical activity, food resource management, food safety, and food
security to meet the specific needs of their respective program participants.

REACHING DIVERSE POPULATIONS
At least 72% of all EFNEP adults are minorities.

MINORITY

72%
28% Non-minority or ethnicity not provided

SHARED STORIES
Food insecurity in urban areas of Missouri is quite prevalent. Our
programs address the nutrition education needs of participants to
improve food choices and health, and helps them gain skills to ensure
their own food security. In one such program, we worked with partners
at public schools and community organizations to create garden sites.
The number of gardens grew from 44 in FY 16 to 200 in FY 17. Foods
grown in these gardens are used for cooking lessons, taste testing, food
banks, school lunch programs, and in participants’ homes.
University of Missouri - Columbia
In response to two category five hurricanes, EFNEP educators from St.
Thomas taught junior high school students about nutriton, water
quality, and how to keep food safe after a natural disaster. One student
commented on a lesson that everyone everywhere could use: “I learned
that I need to keep my food safe when my family does not have power.
Freeze bottles of water before the storm comes. Keep foods cold with
frozen water bottles.”
University of the Virgin Islands
EFNEP is famous for teaching nutrition and food preparation skills to lowincome youth, including those with special needs. Instructors at UCONN
Avery Point and the Waterford Community Center have run the gamut
from introducing “new” foods that many thought the youth would not eat
(they did) to teaching cooking tools and techniques. One participant who
thought he couldn’t cut a strawberry, learned to prepare several food
items. His teacher said, “No one thinks these kids can do anything, so they
don’t even give them a chance… (Now) look how successful they have
been.”
University of Connecticut
As we teach nutrition to participants, we focus on making healthier
choices while staying within a budget. One lesson, which featured
coupons and sale ads from grocery stores, was about how to find the best
deals. The challenge was to develop a three-day grocery list of healthy
items for one adult and child – and stay within a $25 spending limit.
Participants learned to create grocery lists by comparing prices, finding
coupons, and using other benefits, such as the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). One
participant noted, “This class has really helped me save money and time
at the grocery store. I never knew how important it was to prepare a list.”
University of Illinois

SAVING MONEY
EFNEP graduates reported a collective
food cost savings of:

IMPROVING DIETS

$1,218,861

93%
93% of adults improved their diet, including
consuming additional fruits and vegetables.

DEMONSTRATING RESULTS
Data reported through diet recalls shows that EFNEP graduates
eat more closely to MyPlate.gov recommendations. The data
also shows there is still a need for nutrition education.
Amount consumed before EFNEP
Amount consumed after participation in EFNEP

*USDA MyPlate
recommendation

*This graphic shows recommendations for females ages 19-30 who get less
than 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, beyond their normal
activities. Recommendations for males, other age groups, and other activity
levels vary (see MyPlate.gov).

SHARED STORIES
North Carolina ranks 16th among states for hypertension, and EFNEP is
recognized as a way to help people make simple changes to their lifestyles
that could improve overall health. During a visit to her doctor, a young
mom expressed concerns about her recent diagnosis of high blood
pressure. Her doctor shared a flyer about EFNEP and an upcoming series of
classes in her area. With the help of knowledge gained in the program, she
lost weight and lowered her blood pressure to the point that she no longer
had to take blood pressure medicine.
North Carolina State University
A high rate of homelessness and substance abuse plagues Spokane,
Washington, and the surrounding valley. “Jessica,” who had just completed a
drug rehabilitation program, was eager to lead a healthier life and lose the
weight she had gained during her rehab. She heard about the positive
changes her friends and neighbors had made after taking EFNEP classes. The
nine lessons of the Eating Smart Being Active curriculum helped Jessica make
positive lifestyle changes for herself and her family that resulted in some
weight loss, improvements to overall health, and greater self-esteem.
Washington State University
A single mom was struggling with time, making ends meet, and feeding her
children ages 8-13. She discovered EFNEP and enrolled in its 9-lesson series.
Through the program’s Cent$ible Nutrition Cookbook, she was able to save
time by using the many basic mixes to prepare easy and quick meals. Since
completing the class, she saves almost $200 a month, is buying more fruits
and vegetables, and her family is eating a more balanced diet. This mom is
so impressed with the program that she plans to have her 13-year old take
the classes.
University of Wyoming
Tuskegee EFNEP partnered with a middle school 7th grade class and a local
farmer to show how eating fruits and vegetables is important to health and
obesity prevention. Through a “fruit of the week” program, the EFNEP
educator taught students how to cut fresh fruits into different shapes and
sizes and present attractively for eating. Students taste-tested the fruits and
evaluated them by nutrient content. The program was so successful that the
school’s 8th graders decided to do a “vegetable of the week” program. Fresh
produce that passed muster were included in the school cafeteria’s menu.
The program improved the students’ nutrition, reduced school food waste,
and stimulated economic development for local farmers.
Tuskegee University

CHANGING ADULT
BEHAVIOR*

INFLUENCING
YOUTH

91%

80%

Percentage of adults
improving diet
quality practices

80%
80%
Percentage of adults
improving food resource
management practices

76%
Percentage of adults
improving food safety
practices

77%
Percentage of adults
improving physical activity
practices

Percentage of youth increasing
knowledge or ability to choose
healthy foods

45%
Percentage of youth increasing
knowledge or ability to prepare
low-cost, nutritious foods

50%
Percentage of youth improving
food safety and preparation
knowledge or practices

45%
45%
Percentage of youth
improving physical activity
knowledge or practices

*Previous years’ adult data cannot be compared, as a new research tested
“Adult Food and Physical Activity Questionnaire” (FPAQ) was used.

STRONG HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
EFNEP has made a difference in the lives of American families and children since
1969. It began as a pilot project in Alabama as USDA sought solutions to concerns
of poverty and hunger. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized $10 million in
1968, and in 1969 Congress authorized $30 million
under the Smith-Lever Act. Originally EFNEP was
delivered by 1862 land-grant universities. In 2006
EFNEP expanded to include 1890 land-grant
universities. Today, 76 institutions work with
community partners nationwide.

MAINTAINING EXCELLENCE
Successful programs require constant attention.
Changing demographics of nutrition-insecure families, an increasing number of
Americans at or below the poverty line, and burgeoning educational
technologies present new challenges and opportunities for nutrition education
programs. Ongoing EFNEP initiatives are underway to:
• Receive and review periodic feedback to ensure program quality,
integrity, and fidelity and meet changing needs of participants.
• Confirm that adult and youth program indicators are scientifically valid and
reliable.
• Strengthen science-based learning methods and enhance teaching
techniques with appropriate new technologies, social media, and socialecological approaches.
Many South Dakota youth who live with working parents eat a lot of
convenience or fast food. EFNEP nutrition educators teach these youth how
to cook simple, quick meals that mainly consist of items found at food
pantries or in commodities. The majority of these budding chefs are excited
about these recipes. One participant stated, “My mom works long hours
and the recipes that I take home help her with dinner for the family.”
South Dakota State University
For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/efnep or contact
hchipman@nifa.usda.gov, Alexandra.Alford@nifa.usda.gov, or
Jordan.Carter@nifa.usda.gov.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension
and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | February 2019