Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Supporting Texas Families with Greatest Need Since 1969
EFNEP helps young families and youth with limited resource - those most at risk to suffer from hunger, food insecurity and the inability to connect with available support systems. EFNEP offers practical lessons in basic nutirion, food preparation, food budget management and food safety in settings convenient for the participants. EFNEP graduates reflect significant, lasting improvement in eating behaviors and healthy food habits.
Texas has a need for EFNEP - 2006 data show that 30% of Texas families were living below 185% of federal poverty level, compared to 23% of U.S. families.
EFNEP, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, provides food and nutrition education for limited-resource families with young children through Texas AgriLife Extension Service, with funding from USDA. In 2008, EFNEP programs assisted Texans in Bexar, Cameron, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Hidalgo, Nueces, Tarrant and Travis Counties.
EFNEP nutrition assistants help low-income families and youth acquire the knowledge, skills, and changed behaviors necessary for nutritionally sound diets and to contribute to their personal development and the improvement of total family diet and nutritional welfare. Tarrant EFNEP nutrition assistants teach in homes, schools, churches and community
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What Tarrant County says about EFNEP
From clients:
"I have learned new recipes and ways to prepare foods low in fat and easy to make for me and my family."
"I learned to buy food based on the labels and to eat healthier by eating less portions of sugar, fat and salt and more vegetables, fruits and grains."
"I am drinking more water; I drink water instead of soda - no more soda!."
"I learned how to cook very good food for little cost."
"My mom doesn't read English, so I show her what to buy and we fix the recipes that we did at school. Now my family makes good choices to be more healthy."
From school officials, teachers, and cooperating agencies:
"Our students and teachers receive a great deal of support in their health instruction from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. The information is a great addition to our health program. Knowledge is powerful and our students need as much current information on nutrition and health as they can get." - G. Roberts
"You really inspired me . . . I realized the nutrition information brought to my students wasn't any different from what I already knew, but wasn't putting into practice. I needed to set a better example and now I do -and have lost 16 pounds to prove it." - M. Nikl
"Thanks so much for sharing wonderful lifetime information with our students . . . your classroom presentations really do make a difference." - M. Russell
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EFNEP Reaches Diverse Audiences
In 2008,
* 408 families with 734 children enrolled in EFNEP
* 90% of families at or below 185% of federal poverty level
* 70% of families enrolled in one or more food assistance programs at entry
* 73 EFNEP participants were pregnant and/or nursing
* 75% of EFNEP adult participants were Hispanic/Latino
* 18% of EFNEP adult participants were Black
* 9,938 youth were enrolled and participated in the EFNEP youth program
* 59% of EFNEP youth participants were Hispanic/Latino
* 32% of EFNEP youth participants were Black
In Tarrant County, ethnically diverse EFNEP nutrition assistants reach homemakers, youth and adult groups whose prinicpal language may be English or Spanish. Participants learn basic family and child nutrition knowledge, food safety tips, food shopping skills and the need for increased physical activity in multiple languages.
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Volunteers Strengthen EFNEP
In 2008, 218 adult volunteers donated 2,080 hours of work to EFNEP in Tarrant County. At the Texas rate of $19.51/hr., this volunteerism has a minimum dollar value of $40,581. Volunteers make a difference in their own communities, and contribute to EFNEP's ongoing success.
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EFNEP Makes a Real Difference Adult Program (FY 2008)
Adult Clients
Using "hands-on" experiences, EFNEP adult participants complete a six-lesson series on stretching food dollars, improving eating habits, and practicing food safety principles. As a result of participation in EFNEP the following food and nutrition behaviors were achieved:.
99% with positive change in any food group at exit.
23% (0.5 cups) increase in mean milk intake. Average milk intake at exit was 2.2 cups.
87% improved in one or more food resource management practices such as using a list for grocery shopping.
92% improved in one or more nutrition practices such as using the "Nutrition Facts" on food labels to make food choices.
62% improved in one or more food safety practices such as thawing foods safely.
Youth Program (FY 2008)
Youth Clients
The EFNEP-Youth program is directed toward low-income school-age youth. These students participate in a series of fun and educational lessons on good nutrition and food safety as part of summer programs, classroom and after-school activities. In FY 2007-08, 9,938 youth in Tarrant County participated in EFNEP as part of summer programs, classroom and after-school activities.
87% now eat a variety of foods.
89% increased their knowledge of the essentials of human nutrition.
82% increased their ability to select low-cost, nutritious foods.
100% improved practices in food preparation and safety.
100% improved physical activity behavior attitude.
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Cost-Benefit of EFNEP
Studies have shown that for every $1 spent on EFNEP, $10 were estimated to be saved in health care costs and $2 saved in food costs by participants. For Tarrant County, this is $2.9 million in estimated health care cost savings and almost $580,000 in food costs.
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For more info about the EFNEP contact:
Linda Chazarreta
200 Taylor Street, Suite 500
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 212-7501
Fax: (817) 212-7502
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