Somerset County
EFNEP
"Improving
Nutrition for Maryland Families and Youth"
What is
EFNEP?
EFNEP is the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture and Maryland Cooperative Extension
of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of
Maryland Eastern Shore. Its mission is to help limited-income
families and youth acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and
behavior changes necessary to maintain nutritionally sound diets
and enhance personal development.
EFNEP adult are taught individually or in small groups by
Extension Nutrition Assistants and volunteers trained by Extension
educators. The majority of participants complete the EFNEP
curriculum in less than 12 months. Over 92% improve their diets;
over 95% are better able to select nutritious foods; and over 85%
improve their ability to prepare food safely. Personal development
and self-esteem is also addressed. Participants are made aware of
the importance of child immunizations, physical exams, mammograms
and tax credits. A large number of EFNEP graduates find employment,
return to school, leave the welfare role, have their children
immunized, file tax credits, and have physical exams and
mammograms.
EFNEP youth are taught in summer or year-round enrichment programs
conducted by 4-H staff and volunteers. Youth learn to eat a variety
of foods and to avoid foods with high fat, sugar, and salt
contents. They increase their knowledge of the essentials of human
nutrition and they increase their ability to select low-cost
nutritious foods. For EFNEP youth program information or to
schedule a program call 410-651-1350 or contact 4-H Educator Lisa Dennis or 4-H Program
assistant Nicole Ramirez
What Does EFNEP Do?
EFNEP teaches participants how to:
- Make more nutritious
food choices
- Manage food budgets and
resources wisely
- Improve prenatal
nutrition and infant feeding
practices
- Adopt breast
feeding
- Improve overall health
and fitness through diet and
exercise
- Reduce risks of such
chronic diseases as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and the
resulting complications, through dietary changes and early
diagnosis
- Practice proper safety,
sanitation, and storage
methods
- Achieve lasting
improvements in nutrition and food safety-related
behaviors
EFNEP is an important program in
Somerset County and its communities. Somerset County Extension
maintains three Nutrition Assistants that serve the Lower Shore
Tri-County area Jeanette
Morgan, Joy Hawke and Maria "Loli" LaPlante
For program information or to schedule a program call 410-651-1350
or contact the EFNEP Supervisor, Ingrid H. Holmes, iholmes@umd.edu
For more information, contact Carole Bevan
Last updated:
03/22/2006