Project abstract-expanded food and nutrition education program: cornell university new york is the 4TH largest state in the united states; covering 54,556 square miles; 62 counties - populations range…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Cornell University $3.512 million on October 1, 2025, under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (CFDA 10.514), a formula grant supporting nutrition education delivery to low-income families, young adults aged 18–25, and 4-H youth across New York State.

Cornell Cooperative Extension operates the program statewide across 62 counties, using a county funding formula refined to account for both poverty levels and population density. The program serves New York's low-income populations in response to documented need: 21 percent of children under 18 live in poverty statewide, 47.5 percent of children receive free or reduced-cost lunch, and adult and child obesity rates stand at 60.5 and 35.8 percent respectively. Continuation of local programming depends on successful achievement of program outcomes and alignment with county priorities established by local boards of directors. EFNEP coordinates closely with counties that have identified nutrition education for low-income families as a priority program area and historically has worked in parallel with SNAP-ED to advance nutrition education for low-income residents.

The award runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Ithaca, New York. Cornell University's Office of Sponsored Programs administers the award.

Project abstract-expanded food and nutrition education program: cornell university new york is the 4TH largest state in the united states; covering 54,556 square miles; 62 counties - populations range (5,000 - 2.5 million) (1). County poverty ranges from 4.8% - 29.7%; with extremely poor communities that have rates of up to 48% in kiryas joel (BRONX), 43% in ithaca (TOMPKINS), 33% in binghamton (BROOME), and 30% in BU?ALO (ERIE). Statewide, 21% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty - 803,000 children (2). In addition, 47.5% of children receive free or reduced cost lunch; (74.9% of children in new york city; 31.7% of children in the rest of the state) (3). Overweight and obesity rates among adults (60.5%) and children (35.8%) remain a major public health concern. These conditions are associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. People living in poverty are more likely to SU?ER from a variety of chronic health issues, both physical and psychological. Nutrition education, though only one part of the broader solution, plays a critical role in mitigating these disparities and strengthening community health resilience. Efnep continues to operate statewide through cornell cooperative extension, maintaining a long-standing commitment to serving low-income families with children, young adults aged 18-25, and 4-H aged youth. A county funding formula, refined to account for both poverty levels and population density. The continuation of local programming depends on successful achievement of program outcomes and alignment with county priorities established by local boards of directors. Efnep collaborates closely with counties that have identified nutrition education for low-income families as a priority program area. New york's efnep program has historically worked in parallel with snap-ED to advance nutrition education for low-income residents. As snap-ED undergoes significant structural transition, efnep remains committed to expanding its role, strengthen efnep's reach, deepen collaborations, and reinforce its leadership in helping families build healthier lives through practical skill development and behavior change. Nationally, through its community-based, peer-education model, efnep empowers participants to improve diet quality, food security, and physical activity behaviors, outcomes that directly support USDA and public health priorities to reduce chronic disease risk and promote lifelong well-being. Across new york state, county programs tailor efnep delivery to local needs, ensuring that recruitment, enrollment, and graduation processes remain relevant and community-driven. STA? Build partnerships with schools, health systems, and local organizations to enhance outreach and ENG agement. New york efnep is also strengthening its use of digital and social media strategies to extend its reach, increase enrollment, and sustain participant engagement. Efnep continues exploring environmental and policy support that institutionalizes collaboration across cooperative extension and partner agencies. These collective E?orts aim to sustain the program's impact and position efnep as an enduring leader in community-based nutrition education and public health advancement. (1)https://WWW.census.GOV/topics/income-poverty/poverty/about.html; (2)https://spotlightonpoverty.ORG/states/new-york ; (3)https://WWW.nyskwic.ORG/get_data/indicator_profi LE.CFM?subindicatorid=52