Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

by Rebecca Creasy

The weather is warming up, Memorial Day has passed and kids are out of school. Summer has unofficially begun! The summer season brings about occasions for cookouts and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in middle Georgia. As your new Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) extension agent, I can assist you with questions and projects regarding food safety at your cookouts, fruit and vegetable storage, preparation, and preservation, and summer time nutrition and health.

Although many of you may have utilized your FACS Extension Agent as a resource in the past, you may be less familiar with EFNEP and the benefits the program can provide to you and your family.

EFNEP is a federally funded program that has been around for more than 40 years. The primary goal of the program is to assist audiences with limited resources in acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary for making nutritious food choices and enhancing health and well-being. In Georgia, EFNEP is offered through Cooperative Extension at The University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University.

The recipes utilized in EFNEP sessions focus on incorporating more low fat dairy products, whole grains and fruits and vegetables. The recipes also utilize less salt and fat than standard recipes, but still appeal to the taste buds of children and adults.

A variety of engaging topics are covered over the course of six to eight EFNEP sessions, including taking the stress out of mealtime, shopping tips for saving money, how to read food labels, using herbs and spices to reduce salt intake, keeping food safe, enhancing appeal of vegetables to kids and increasing energy with exercise.

EFNEP is a truly remarkable program as it helps clients improve their diets and stretch their food dollars further. The interactive EFNEP sessions taught by an instructor also increase clients’ knowledge of nutrition and food safety and allow clients to learn to make quick, easy, nutritious meals for their families. The EFNEP program in Georgia is successful with 90 percent of participants making positive changes in their diets after completing six EFNEP sessions.

If you or your organization are interested in having EFNEP sessions taught or have any questions regarding your home, nutrition, health and wellness, or food safety, call the Houston County Extension Office. Also be on the lookout for upcoming articles, events, and tips in the weekly Extension column in the Houston Home Journal for keeping you and your family safe and healthy during the summer months and year round.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

June TBA:  FVSU Small Goat Management Training

June 10-14:  Junior 4-H Summer Camp, Fortson 4-H Center

June 11:  Cotton Scout School, Tifton, contact Debbie Rutland 229-386-3424

June 12-15:  Georgia 4-H State Horse Show, Perry

June 19:  Cotton Scout School, Midville, GA, contact Peyton Sapp, 706-554-2119

July 1-5:  Senior 4-H Summer Camp, Jekyll 4-H Center

July 8-12:  Cloverleaf 4-H Summer Camp, Rock Eagle 4-H Center

July 10-11:  Junior Master Gardener Leadership Training, Houston Extension Office

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