The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides practical, skill-based nutrition education to low-income families with young children and to youth up to age 18 from these families. EFNEP programming is based out of our offices in Auburn, Lawrence, Raynham, and Springfield.
Adults
Through discussions and hands-on experiences, adult EFNEP participants learn how to improve the nutritional quality of the meals they serve their families. They participate in a series of small group sessions led by an EFNEP educator from their communities. The award-winning curriculum Choices: Steps Toward Health emphasizes nutrition, food shopping, and food safety while engaging participants in group discussions, cooking demonstrations, food tasting, fun physical activities, and other hands-on learning. Cost effectiveness studies in a number of states have shown that for every dollar spent on EFNEP, $3 to $10 were saved on lower health care costs and increased productivity.
Youth
EFNEP reaches youth audiences through nutrition education in schools and after-school programs, in day camps and residential camps, and through other youth-serving community agencies and programs. EFNEP youth participate in a series of group sessions, learning about healthy food and beverage choices, food preparation, food safety and fitness/physical activities.
For more information about activities for adults and youth in a specific area of the state, please visit the Office Locations section of our website to find a site near you.
For more information about EFNEP contact:
Lacresha Bowers, MS, RDN, LD
UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program
Department of Nutrition
203 Chenoweth Lab
100 Holdsworth Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9282
(413) 545-1080
lacresha[dot]bowers[at]umass[dot]edu (lacresha[dot]bowers[at]umass[dot]edu)