Nutrition Program Assistants
(NPAs) are trained to teach basic nutrition, food preparation
skills, food dollar management and food safety.
To help youth make wise
food choices, they must have accurate, current information that emphasizes the
relationship between overall health, diet and physical activity. NPAs teach 4-H
EFNEP participants in small groups using approved age appropriate curricula
focusing on the "Eat Smart, Move More". Divided into six grade levels,
"Professor Popcorn", the core curriculum for North Carolina's program, explores
MyPyramid through the food groups, the concepts from the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans and the Fight BAC! concepts of clean, separate, cook and chill. Each
lesson includes "hands-on" and "Moving More" activities, food preparation and
tasting. Teaching may occur in a person's home, a community and/or family
resource center, school or wherever a group of young people gather together.
After completing a minimum of six lessons, participants are eligible for program
graduation and receive a certificate of completion. The youth are encouraged to
share what they have learned during the group sessions with family members and
friends, thereby improving the overall health of the entire family and the
community.
The involvement of volunteers is essential to the success of
4-H EFNEP. They provide many hours of volunteer time through leadership,
educational, advisory, support or middle manager roles.
