UGA Extension Office

EFNEP

EFNEP program logo over an image of a woman and child in a grocery store

What is EFNEP?

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program is a national USDA-funded program whose mission is to iimprove the health behavior of low-income Americans.  All across Georiga, the program is run through the University of Georgia Extension at no cost to the participant.  UGA EFNEP offers a series of lessons called Food Talk.

Food Talk consists of seven lessons about one hour each.  Lessons contain simple nutrition messages conveyed in an interactive manner through activities and discussions.  Cooking demonstrations allow participants to try meals that are both healthy and affordable.  Educational material is distributed to help participants put into practice what they learned. Food Talk is also taught in Spanish in order to serve the rapidly growing Hispanic community in Georgia.

UGA EFNEP provides all teaching materials and recipe demonstration ingredients and no kitchen facilities are necessary. 

Visit ugaefnep.org for more information.


vegetable garden bedsThe EFNEP program in Houston County has worked closely with the Master Gardeners to reap the benefits of the Teaching Garden at Hafley Park in Perry.  Under the direction of the Agent, Master Gardeners plant seeds that will produce vegetables that the program assistant can use in her lessons and recipes. When the harvest is gathered, the produce, fruit and herbs are brought into theHarvested tomatoes, potatoes, and herbs arranged on a table Extension office, weighed and catalogued, and then given to the EFNEP program assistant for distribution. 

 

 

La Keshia Levi preparing EFNEP bagsShe then divides the food among her class clients and provides them with recipes or hints on how to use the vegetables and herbs. 

 

 

Clients are urged to not only use the produce but to take photos of the dish they prepare.  These are then used as motivational tools to future Plate of salad with egg, ham, and vegetablesclients and to provide feedback to the Master Gardeners for their efforts.  In the growing season of 2015, Master Gardeners contributed over 125 pounds of food to the EFNEP program.