Ohio efnep 2025 program plan summary the purpose of this funding is to increase the impact of nutrition education disseminated to low income families and youth

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded The Ohio State University Extension Seneca County $2.311 million under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP, CFDA 10.514) on October 1, 2025, to increase nutrition education impact for low-income families and youth in Ohio.

The award funds hands-on nutrition education combining applied science and program data, addressing diet quality, food resource management, food safety, and food security. Services are delivered through cooperative extension offices, schools, community centers, food pantries, and WIC/SNAP program sites across Ohio's 88 counties, including workshops, field days, technical assistance, and peer educator engagement.

Period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, with place of performance at Columbus, Ohio. This formula grant supports one of Ohio State University Extension's three core program pillars; the agency distributes EFNEP funding to eligible 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions nationwide to serve low-income populations in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

According to the 2024 projection census, ohio's population is estimated at 11,883,304. Of the over 11 million people in the state, 13.3% are living in poverty, compared to 11.1% in the U.S. Eighteen percent of children in ohio are living in poverty, compared to 16% across the united states. The proportion of ohioans that are food insecure has increased to 14% (previously 12%) and dietary behaviors are not optimal. Only 7.3% of adults in ohio reported two or more fruits and 3 or more vegetables daily. Research indicates that inadequate consumption of fruits, vegetables and other essential foods is associated with obesity and several chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. In ohio, the most updated data from the ohio state health assessment shows that 37.8% of adults in ohio are obese, compared to 33.9% in the U.S. Additionally, ohio has the 7TH highest proportion of youth that are overweight or obese at 34.6%, this remains unchanged. Diabetes prevalence is higher in ohio than the united states (12.6% versus 10.9%) and physical inactivity is higher in ohio than the united states (28.3% versus 26.4%). Inadequate nutrition may also be associated with poor birth outcomes such as infant mortality. Currently the infant mortality rate in ohio is 7.0 per 1,000 live births and 8.5% suffer low birthweight. In ohio, 19.2% of children are living in poverty, and 36% of children are eligible for free/reduced lunch. Obesity is especially problematic, 34.6% of youth are overweight or obese. Data from the 2021YRBSS indicates that among ohio youth, grades 9TH-12TH: 9.8% did not eat fruit or drink 100% fruit juices, 7.4% did not eat vegetables, 17% drank soda or POP one or more times per day and 9.4% drank IT two or more times per day; and 24.6% did not eat breakfast. Regarding physical activity, the yrbss reported that during the 7 days before the survey: 16% of ohio youth did not participate in at least 60 min of physical activity on at least one day, and 50.6% were not physically active at least 60 min per day on 5 or more days. Youth self-report data from the yrbss indicated that 13.4% were overweight and 18.8% were obese. Data from ohio efnep indicates that adult and youth participation in efnep programming results in improved dietary, food safety and food resource habits. In addition, recent data provided by the CDC shows ohio has the 8TH highest drug overdose mortality rate in the united states, with 39 deaths per 100,000 people. Research shows that poor nutrition and lack of physical activity contribute to suboptimal treatment results, yet neither males nor females in recovery generally meet the recommended nutritional values. As of february 2024, there are 619 drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in ohio. 2026 audience focus: adult participants: low-income adults (50% of students participate in or are eligible for free and reduced lunches in metropolitan areas. Our plan is to increase the proportion of youth 6-12TH grades that we reach by using the teen cuisine curricula. We'll work with easter seals, youth homeless shelters, after school programs, career centers and alternative high school programs for 9 to 12TH grades. Low-income pregnant women: with the high prevalence of infant and maternal mortality, we intend to increase our reach to pregnant women and teens. Young adults ages 18 to 26: working with university student life and campus food pantry programs, pilot implementation of the dorm dash program from TSU will continue the pilot in 2026. 2026 priorities: increase the proportion of 6 to 12TH graders by 10%; update, improve and expand technology use; increase the proportion of youth that improve in physical activity; increase the proportion of adults that improve in physical activity; increase the proportion of young adults that we reach by 10%.