The expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) addresses the critical issues of society by employing paraprofessional educators to administer healthy nutrition and physical activities to…

The expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) addresses the critical issues of society by employing paraprofessional educators to administer healthy nutrition and physical activities to low-income youth and adults. The program focuses on diet quality and physical activity, food resource management, food safety, and food security. EFNEP presently serves limited resource populations within the upstate, midlands, santee wateree, and low country regions. EFNEP provides nutrition education and meal preparation skills consistent with regional cultural traditions and resources. Low income, poor diet, obesity, and a lack of exercise are interrelated factors that contribute to many health-related issues globally. To combat these issues, the SC state 1890 extension EFNEP is dedicated to addressing nutrition, obesity, food safety/insecurity, and physical activities during the present 5-year plan cycle. The organization's focus on good nutrition is not only because IT promotes a feeling of well-being, but also because IT plays a crucial role in disease prevention. As per the vanderbilt medical center (2019), 5 of the 10 leading causes of death in the united states are diseases influenced by diet. The SC state 1890'S commitment to public health is evident in its efforts to address these issues. In previous years, the south carolina state university 1890 research and extension found obtaining adult participants who meet the target adult population was challenging. SC state EFNEP took a different approach to do a more consistent and intentional job of identifying persons who meet the EFNEP criteria and then targeting those persons for inclusion into programs being offered. The changes implemented included identifying and forming working partnerships with established groups that consist only of acceptable participants and finding ways to work with their schedules and other needs. For example, homes for pregnant teens, shelters for women and children, schools for expectant mothers, and working with the county WIC offices are the areas targeted by the EFNEP team. The financial circumstances for many south carolinians have changed within the last few years, necessitating a shift in program focus. The SC state 1890 extension EFNEP, in response to these changes, is constantly expanding its program opportunities and participation to meet the evolving needs of the public. This adaptability and responsiveness to changing needs is a testament to the program's commitment to its participants. The SC STATE1890 extension EFNEP will continue to contribute to the nutrition, food safety/insecurity, and physical activities of the participants through workshops and training programs, ensuring that IT remains a valuable resource for the community.