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Overview

Since 1969, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has reached more than 34 million low-income families and youth. Annual program data shows that participants have enhanced their health by improving their nutrition, food safety, and physical activity practices. Program research and evaluation are integral to the success of EFNEP and other nutrition education programs.

EFNEP’s position within USDA/NIFA and Cooperative Extension within the Land-grant Universities provides a unique opportunity for developing, testing, and implementing program-based. Innovative educational interventions and evaluation strategies also help advance the field of nutrition education. 

Multi-State Research Teams

Although EFNEP funds cannot be used for research, the importance of research as a foundation to programming is well recognized. Two multi-state research teams, supported in part by Agricultural Experiment Station funding, are particularly active in conducting research that benefits EFNEP and similar nutrition education programs.

Other researchers, similarly, have contributed to EFNEP research and evaluation. Studies including early research and reports led to program development project such as the Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Centers of Excellence (RNECE) and the Community Nutrition Education (CNE) Logic Model. Please email Yamilis Ocasio at yamilis.ocasio@usda.gov if you have a study to contribute.



  
          Databases and Search Engines

Databases and Search Engines

Additional publications can be found in searchable databases and search engines for peer review publications related to EFNEP. See the EFNEP specific publications at the USDA National Agricultural Library (here) and Google Scholar (below).

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Cost Benefit / Effectiveness Studies

This section contains the links of studies dedicated to determining the cost benefits and cost effectiveness of EFNEP.

Farm bill priority areas
Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health
Page last updated: March 11, 2025

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