The expanded food and nutrition education program (efnep) improves the diets, food-related behaviors, and overall health of washington families and youth with low incomes

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Washington State University $822,570 under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (CFDA 10.514) on October 1, 2025, to operate nutrition education for low-income families and youth across Clark, Pierce, and Spokane counties in Washington.

WSU funds eight full-time paraprofessional educators and three full-time professional staff who deliver direct nutrition education to adults and youth, administer the program, and conduct policy, systems, and environmental change efforts to enhance food security. The educators teach evidence-based curricula—including Eating Smart – Being Active, Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness, and Food Smarts—through partnerships with more than 100 community agencies including early learning centers, schools, income-based housing complexes, and community centers. The interactive lessons build skills in healthy meal planning, food budgeting, food safety, and physical activity. Program supervisors participate in community coalitions focused on food security, increasing access to local foods, and preventing chronic disease. In 2024, educators reached approximately 450 adults and 2,000 youth through nutrition class series, with 96 percent of adults and 93 percent of youth reporting improved diet quality, and 92 percent of adults reporting improvements in food resource management.

The award runs through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Pullman, Washington. This is a formula grant to a 1862 land-grant institution, the eligible applicant pool for EFNEP.

The federal award funds the operation of efnep at washington state university (WSU) to deliver the program in three washington counties, clark, pierce, and spokane. Through this award, eight full-time paraprofessional educators and three full-time professional staff implement efnep activities, including direct education for youth and adults, program administration, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change efforts that enhance food security. Efnep partners with more than 100 community agencies such as early learning centers, schools, income-based housing complexes, and community centers to deliver evidence-based curricula through practical nutrition education lessons. Peer educators, who belong to the communities they serve, teach adult and youth class series using curricula such as eating smart - being active, choose health: food, fun, and fitness (chfff), and food smarts. These interactive lessons build skills in healthy meal planning, food budgeting, food safety, and physical activity. Efnep supervisors further support PSE change activities by participating in community coalitions focused on food security, increasing access to local foods, and preventing chronic disease. In 2024, efnep educators are projected to reach approximately 450 adults and 2,000 youth through a series of nutrition classes across the three counties. Participants consistently report improved behaviors in diet quality, food resource management, physical activity, and food safety. In fiscal year 2024, 96% of adults and 93% of youth reported improved diet quality, including eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking fewer sugary beverages. Additionally, 92% of adults reported improvements in food resource management, such as planning meals, making a food budget, and comparing prices, which resulted in an average monthly savings of $30.80 per household. Physical activity behaviors also improved, with 74% of adults and 70% of youth reporting increased activity consistent with national physical activity guidelines. For food safety, 71% of adults and 55% of youth reported positive changes such as proper handwashing and cooking foods to safe temperatures. These behavior changes contribute to a reduced risk of diet-related chronic diseases and support long-term health. Efnep primarily benefits adults with children and youth from low-income households who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity and poor dietary habits. In clark, pierce, and spokane counties, between 11.5% and 16.7% of residents live at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (american community survey), and between 8.4% and 10.1% experience food insecurity (map the meal GAP). Efnep also benefits community partners by providing evidence-based nutrition education that enhances their capacity to support community health. Through collaboration, education, and local partnerships, WSU's efnep helps washington families gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make healthier food and lifestyle choices, leading to improved health outcomes and greater food security across the state.