The expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) is a federally funded nutrition education program for limited-resources youth and families delivered through the UVI school of agriculture…

The expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) is a federally funded nutrition education program for limited-resources youth and families delivered through the UVI school of agriculture cooperative extension service in the U.S. Virgin islands. EFNEP provides hands-on interactive workshops to help participants improve nutrition, diet and health literacy and physical activity behaviors, food resources management, food safety and food security. Programs serve income eligible parents and young adults, caregivers, and expectant mothers, as well as children and teens. These nutrition education outreach programs are facilitated by frontline educators who, for the most part, come for or represent the communities they serve. EFNEP in the virgin islands engages adult participants from public housing communities, adult education, UVI students, head start programs and referrals from the women infants and children (WIC) and supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP) programs. Through a series of 6-9 lessons using EFNEP approved curricula, participants learn how to make food choices that are economical and improve the nutritional quality of meals they prepare and serve their families. Through an experiential learning process, they improve their ability to better manage their food dollar to select and buy quality, nutrition-rich food on a limited food budget; gain skills in food preparation, storage, and sanitation; and learn to manage their food budget and connect to relevant resources. Through 6-8 hours of direct contact using EFNEP approved educational resources, youth ages 5-18 enrolled in public schools or 4-H clubs, experience belonging, mastery, independence and generosity while learning about basic nutrition, food preparation and safety, and ways to reduce screen time and increase physical activity. EFNEP programs are evaluated using 24-hour food recalls for adult participants, and pre-and post-tests for both youth and adults.