What Is EFNEP?

            EFNEP is the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which is a federally funded program with a trademark for quality.  This program is an integral part of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.  EFNEP paraprofessionals work with groups and individuals with children to select more nutritious diets and increase their ability to manage a food budget.  This program helps to improve diet quality, reduce hunger and improve health and wellness for families.  EFNEP makes a difference in the lives of Kentucky families. 

            In past years over 4000 families and 2000 youth have been served by EFNEP.  The faces behind the successful program in Pike County are Rose Coleman (retired) and Patricia Taylor.  Pike County EFNEP assistants travel throughout Pike County, serving our diverse population of youth, young families, new mothers and limited resource families. 

            Partnerships are formed throughout the county to better serve the residents of Pike County.  Some of these partnerships have been with Pike County Head Start, Family Resource Centers and Pike County Health Department.  Danita Bartley, nutritionist at the Pike County Health Department feels that Rose and Pat have a good working relationship with their WIC clients.  Danita said, “Clients enjoy their programs and look forward to them coming.  This is a wonderful partnership between the health department and University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Program.”  This program helps to provide new moms with important nutritional information.  This is only one of many successful programs they work with EFNEP. 

            Participants who attend an EFNEP program can expect to learn various skills through a hands-on approach.  EFNEP is a free program delivered as a series of 10-12 or more lessons offered over several months.  Participants learn how to make food choices to improve the nutritional quality of the meals they serve their families.  They gain new skills in food production, preparation, storage, safety and sanitation and they learn to better manage their food budgets and related resources.  At the completion of this program participants learn self worth and realize that they have something to offer their own families and society.    

Pictured above are Rose Coleman and Patricia Taylor helping children learn how to make healthy snacks at the Family Health Festival sponsored by the Pike County Diabetes Partnership held at the Pikeville YMCA.

Rose Coleman and “Produce Man” (Patricia Taylor) at the Family Health Festival.

    For more information on the EFNEP program in Pike County, contact Patricia Taylor, Pike County EFNEP Program Assistant.