New York State began providing the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in 1969 through Cornell University Cooperative Extension. EFNEP is currently offered in 29 counties and New York City. EFNEP provides nutrition education to families with young children and low-income youth at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line.

We help individuals responsible for planning and preparing meals at home. They are key to improving the nutritional well-being of their family. EFNEP educators follow research-based models that allow them to effectively reach and educate program participants.

Participants make positive changes for improved health:
2024 National EFNEP Impact Report
The Impact of Nutrition Education and Food Insecurity Among Low-Income Participants in EFNEP

WHAT ARE WE DOING IN NYC?

Nutrition education is delivered to eligible participants through a free workshop series hosted by community based organizations who want to partner in our efforts.

EFNEP workshop series groups meet once a week for 8-10 weeks. Weekly adult sessions are between 1.5 hours and 2 hours in duration. Youth sessions are 1 hour to 1.5 hours each week. Many of our educators are bilingual English/Spanish and English/French-Creole.

 Audiences Served

• Parents of children aged 5-19 years
• Parents working to re-establish custody
• Caregivers of youth
• Youth (5-19 years)

Participants completing the workshop series receive a certificate that can be used when seeking employment.

Workshops are interactive, hands-on, and delivered by trained paraprofessionals. Workshops give participants an opportunity to prepare and taste healthy recipes every week.

Would you like to see our workshop recipes in English and Spanish?

Download our workshop recipes in English and Spanish

Special Initiatives reach EFNEP audiences

HEALTHY CHILDREN, HEALTHY FAMILIES

The Healthy Children, Healthy Families initiative focuses on the behaviors
most likely to help children avoid unhealthy weight gain. The curriculum developed focuses on supporting parents and caregivers by educating them about nutrition, physical activity, and parenting practices that can help their families make healthy changes. 

This Cornell University initiative reaches low-income parents and caregivers of children aged three to 11 years. Small groups attend a series of eight hands-on workshops where they meet other parents, prepare recipes, taste new foods, and try fun activities to do at home with children.

Each week, participants identify a new healthy step to try with their families and then
discuss their challenges and successes. Over time, these steps become healthy habits for parents and children. Small steps toward healthier lifestyles makes healthy choices easier.

Connect with us on Facebook and learn more about Adopting Healthy Habits. 

You’ll find:

• Recipes
• Cooking tips
• Money saving ideas!

Does your organization want to host an EFNEP workshop series?

Fill out this 8-session workshop series request form and email your request to us.