Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a flagship nutrition education program funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) since 1969. EFNEP helps young families and youth with limited resources—those most at risk to suffer from hunger, food insecurity, and the inability to connect with available support systems. Texas EFNEP targets families with limited resources and youth using key nutrition education messages delivered via ethnically diverse paraprofessional educators, many who speak languages other than English. Through these community-based programs, EFNEP improves the health and well-being of underserved families and youth in Texas.
Program graduates reflect significant, lasting improvements in eating behaviors and healthy food habits. Texas has a need for EFNEP—current data show that 21% of Texas families with children under the age of 18 were living below the poverty level.

EFNEP families are often identified through collaboration with other existing agencies and not-for-profit organizations where groups of participants meet on a regular basis. Examples include schools, faith-based organizations, latch key programs, Boys & Girls Clubs, low-income housing authorities, shelters, Head Start parents, community or technical schools, parenting classes, and various other program partners who serve underrepresented families with children. Texas EFNEP has built strong lasting relationships with many of these partners that have continued for many years.

EFNEP classes are taught by paraprofessional educators and offer a variety of curricula options for both youth and adult audiences. Classes are offered in both in-person and virtual settings to help meet the needs of the participants.

The adult program of EFNEP uses a research-based curricula which utilizes evidence-based approaches to adult learning. Curriculum materials and scripts have been developed, adapted, and updated for use with Texas families. The layout, format, and many activities have been enhanced to better target the needs of a family today. The curriculum uses adult learning principles and addresses the core program areas for adult EFNEP participants including diet quality, physical activity, food resource management, food safety, and food security. Each session targets specific program impact indicators for EFNEP and includes a recipe demonstration and physical activity component. Materials are available in English and Spanish to accommodate diverse Texas audiences.

The youth program of EFNEP utilizes a variety of evidence-based and practice tested curricula appropriate for youth of various ages in various educational settings. EFNEP’s youth curricula options introduce and cover basic nutrition and MyPlate as well as food safety and physical activity in a kid-friendly manner. Lessons introduce food groups and build nutrition knowledge including identifying foods in each group and the roles they play - introducing the Fight Bac principles, label reading, and promoting physical activity while decreasing sedentary activity. Each grade level builds on the knowledge learned from the last one. All youth curricula have been aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) state educational standards to better meet the needs of our school partnerships.

EFNEP County Office Locations

Bexar County
8844 Tradeway
San Antonio, TX 78217

Cameron County
1390 W Expressway 83
San Benito, TX 78586

Dallas County
7610 N Stemmons Frwy
Dallas, TX 75247

El Paso County
1380 A&M Circle
El Paso, TX 79927

Fort Bend County
1402 Band Rd, Suite 100
Rosenberg, TX 77471

Harris County
6200 Savory Dr, STE 430
Houston, TX 77036

Hidalgo County
122 East Van Week
Edinburg, TX 78539

Nueces County
4639 Corona, Suite 30
Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Tarrant County
200 Taylor St, Suite 500
Fort Worth, TX 76196

Travis County
1514 Ed Bluestein, Suite 203
Austin, TX 78721