Nutrition Education - EFNEP, FNP & Loving Your Family-IA

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Family Nutrition Program (FNP) are FREE* programs that help parents provide nutritious food for their families, leading to healthy children and strong families. The programs also help youth make choices for better health. Request more information or find a program near you!

Loving Your Family-Iowa (LYF-IA) is designed to deliver nutrition education to low-income families with children under age 10 in Iowa counties where Extension and Outreach does not have EFNEP or FNP. Staff, from partnering home visitation agencies, are trained by Extension and Outreach to teach basic to the families they work with.

Nutrition Education Builds Skills in Iowa Families

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) help youth and young, low-resource families with children develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior needed to improve their diet. Read more ...

What you'll learn

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Family Nutrition Program (FNP) staff work with pregnant teens, families with young children, and youth. Program staff meet with participants one-on-one and in small groups. Lessons are selected depending on the needs and wants of the participants. The lessons include activities, worksheets, games, and cooking.

Participants learn how to:

Budget their food dollars
Save time and money by planning meals
Stay healthy by making wise food choices
Keep food safe to eat
Feed their children
Increase physical activity
Prepare healthy snacks

Families and youth strengthen communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills through the lessons. These life skills help participants obtain employment and nurture family relationships.