The expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) of north dakota provides interactive, skills-based nutrition education to income-eligible adults with children (including custodial…

The expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) of north dakota provides interactive, skills-based nutrition education to income-eligible adults with children (including custodial grandparents), pregnant mothers of low income, and youth (aged 5-17) from low income households. EFNEP hires and trains peer educators from the target communities to provide outreach and education to the target audience. Adult EFNEP provides a series of free lessons with evidence-based content aimed at cultivating positive nutrition, food safety, physical activity and food resource management practices. After a series of five or more lessons, EFNEP adult participants are eligible for graduation and complete a food recall and survey to assess their knowledge and behavior changes. Youth EFNEP works with local youth groups to provide complementary programming to increase fruit, vegetable, whole grain and low-FAT dairy intake and balance healthful food with physical activity. Eligible audiences are largely reached by partnering with other agencies that provide services for populations of low income (head start, food pantries, schools with a majority of enrollees receiving free/reduced-P rice meals, etc.) and collaborating with indian tribal organizations (ITOS) and other partners in tribal communities, including 1994 land-grant institutions. EFNEP participants report improved diet quality, physical activity, food safety and food resource management behaviors following EFNEP lessons. Additionally, EFNEP participants report improved food security.