Iowa State University Extension

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Family Nutrition Program (FNP) are nutrition education programs for low-income families offered by Iowa State University Extension. Request more information or find a program near you!

Here’s what participants have said about the nutrition education program.

• “I never realized how much fun it could be to feed my family, how good I feel when I can stretch our food dollar throughout the month and how rewarding it is to know that I can help my son grow strong by buying the right kinds of foods.”
  
  
• “I learned what I eat makes a difference in both my health and that of my unborn baby. Now I select the foods that are healthy for both of us.”
  
  
• “I save time and money by planning ahead and prioritizing my hectic schedule. My family is eating balanced, nutritional meals on a regular schedule and I feel more relaxed and in control.”

 

Lessons

Program staff meet with participants one-on-one and in small groups. There are eight designed to teach the main messages of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 and MyPyramid

Each lesson includes:

• Lesson enhancements - tools to help participants make the behavior changes suggested in the lesson
• Worksheets and handouts - reviews the key points of the lesson
• Physical activity - stretches, exercises, and activities
• Food activity - preparation, demonstration, or tasting, in addition to free recipes

 

Topics

Eating Smart • Being Active is the curriculum used by Iowa State University Extension nutrition programs. The lessons and goals of each lesson include:

Get Moving		Families enjoy being active. Participants accurately complete the required entry forms.
Plan, Shop, $ave		Families plan and shop for meals and snacks that are healthy and within their budget.
Vary Your Veggies… Focus on Fruit		Families increase the amount of vegetables and fruits they eat every day. Families have more than one kind of vegetable and one kind of fruit every day.
Make Half Your Grains Whole		Families choose at least half of their grains as whole grains.
Build Strong Bones		Families get enough calcium from low-fat or non-fat dairy foods or other foods high in calcium.
Go Lean with Protein		Families have lean protein foods and keep all food safe to eat.
Make a Change		Families limit foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
Celebrate! Eat Smart & Be Active		Participants discuss feeding children and celebrate new knowledge and skills to make healthy food and activity choices. Participants accurately complete the required exit forms.

 

This site is funded by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, USDA's Food Stamp Program, and Iowa State University Extension