Efnep puerto rico is a leading initiative dedicated to improving the nutritional health of low-income families through education and community engagement

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the Agricultural Extension Service $1,474,548 on October 1, 2025, under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (CFDA 10.514), a formula grant providing nutrition education to low-income families and youth across Puerto Rico through September 30, 2030.

The recipient delivers paraprofessional nutrition education across five regional units—Arecibo, Caguas, Coamo, San Juan, and Toa Baja—targeting low-income adults with children and youth, particularly those responsible for food planning and preparation. The program addresses four core areas: enhancing diet quality and physical activity through federal guidelines; strengthening food resource management skills for purchasing, preparing, and storing nutritious food; improving household food safety and sanitation practices; and increasing food security by connecting participants with local farmers, producers, and food assistance programs. Curricula include the Spanish version of Eating Smart – Being Active for adults (developed by Colorado State University), covering food groups, preparation, physical activity, food safety, and healthy choices; Live Healthy and Active (Vive Saludable y Activo) for grades 3–5; and Nutrition Challenge for grades 9–12, offering six lessons on healthier lifestyle choices. A pilot policy, system, and environmental change program reaches K–3rd grade students. Instruction combines hands-on learning, recipe demonstrations, and physical activity. Children and youth are served through schools, homeschooling groups, summer camps, and community settings, supported by volunteers, agencies, and community organizations. Place of performance is San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The program focuses on four key areas: enhancing diet quality and physical activity by promoting federal guidelines for healthy living; strengthening food resource management skills to help families buy, prepare, and store nutritious food; improving household food safety and sanitation practices; and increasing food security by connecting participants with local farmers, producers, and food assistance programs. Nutrition education is delivered by paraprofessionals across five regional units-arecibo, caguas, coamo, SAN juan, and TOA baja-targeting low-income adults with children and youth, especially those responsible for food planning and preparation. These efforts are supported by volunteers, agencies, and community organizations. Children and youth from third to twelfth grade are also served through schools, homeschooling groups, summer camps, and other community settings, with a pilot policy, system, and environmental change (PSE) program introduced for K-3RD grade students. Curricula include the spanish version of eating smart - being active for adults, developed by colorado state university, which covers food groups, preparation, physical activity, food safety, and healthy choices; live healthy and active (vive saludable Y activo) for children in grades 3-5; and nutrition challenge for youth in grades 9-12, both offering six lessons on healthier lifestyle choices. Through hands-on learning, recipe demonstrations, and physical activity, efnep empowers families to make informed decisions, improve their ability to secure nutritious food, and build healthier lives. Beyond improving health outcomes, efnep also contributes to puerto rico's economic vitality by helping families stretch their food dollars, reduce waste, make cost-effective choices that strengthen household finances and reduces dependency, as well as strengthen local food systems and american farmers wellbeing. With the launch of this program, we are intensifying efforts to recruit participants into community units that foster education, support, and holistic well-being, creating stronger, more resilient communities where wellness begins in the kitchen and flourishes in everyday life.