Federal Grant Award Summary

Washington State University (WSU) received a Formula Grant award of $822,570 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP, CFDA 10.514), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. The award funds EFNEP operations across three Washington counties—Clark, Pierce, and Spokane—employing eight paraprofessional educators and three professional staff to deliver nutrition education and food security initiatives. WSU implements direct education programming, program administration, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change efforts through partnerships with more than 100 community agencies, including early learning centers, schools, and community centers.

The program delivers evidence-based nutrition curricula—including Eating Smart - Being Active, Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness, and Food Smarts—to low-income adults and youth, with projected reach of approximately 450 adults and 2,000 youth in 2024. Educational activities focus on healthy meal planning, food budgeting, food safety, and physical activity. Participants have demonstrated measurable behavioral improvements, with 96% of adults and 93% of youth reporting improved diet quality in fiscal year 2024, and 92% of adults reporting enhanced food resource management skills including meal planning and budgeting.