4-H EFNEP

Overview

4-H EFNEP, the youth component of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, provides to young people aged 5 - 19 a practical, hands-on approach to nutrition education and food preparation. This idea of "Learning by Doing" encourages positive dietary changes, increased physical activity and improved food safety habits resulting in better health and enhanced self-esteem.

What Participants Learn

As a result of their experience with 4-H EFNEP, participants:

• Increase their knowledge of human nutrition;
• Improve food selection skills;
• Increase their knowledge of food safety and preparation skills;
• Improve decision-making skills; and
• Become more self-reliant.

4-H EFNEP provides innovative ways to help young people learn how to make wise choices that will prove beneficial to their overall health. They gain nutrition and health knowledge, and develop skills in handling and preparing food. As the participants are taught to recognize the personal relevance of what they are learning they are motivated to develop sound eating and exercise habits leading to improved overall health.

Program Goals

1. Provide education for youth on the principles of nutrition, physical activity and good health.
2. Improve the variety of foods consumed by youth with particular emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and calcium foods.
3. Provide youth with the necessary skills to select and prepare low-cost nutritious foods that are safe to eat.
4. Contribute to the personal development of limited resource youth by connecting them to additional 4-H opportunities.

How Do I Participate?

Check to see if your school or after-school care facility has 4-H EFNEP. If they do not, contact your local County Center of North Caronlia Cooperative Extension office to request the program. You can also form your own 4-H EFNEP club with a group of your friends who have an interest in Eating Smart and Moving More.

Graduation

Participants must complete a minimum of six lessons to graduate from the Program. Upon graduation, all participants receive a certificate of completion.

What Graduates Say About EFNEP

Curricula

The 4-H EFNEP component of North Carolina EFNEP utilizes Exploring MyPyramid with Professor Popcorn produced by Purdue University, EatFIT produced by the University of California, and Color Me Healthy, and Sybershop, both developed by NC State University. Additional resources and curricula are reviewed and utilized as appropriate for teaching youth about nutrition.