COUNTY — The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a program offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.

Since 1969, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has successfully served low-income families by influencing nutrition education and the importance of physical activity. Through a community-based and hands-on educational approach, EFNEP impacts obesity, economic, and food insecurity challenges that hinder nutritional health and well-being.

EFNEP’s current program promotes a healthy lifestyle by incorporating nutrition education and fun, hands-on learning activities for children and youth to prevent childhood obesity and chronic diseases. EFNEP’s mission is to help children and youth to acquire skills necessary to select and prepare low-cost nutritious food, change behaviors that lead to healthier eating habits and a more physically active lifestyle, and improve the variety of nutritious foods consumed.

When teaching children and youth, EFNEP’s Nutrition Educator uses a curriculum called Choose Health: Food, Fun and Fitness (CHFFF). CHFFF supports the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA’s MyPlate, and uses a dialogue approach for more effective retention and application of information and skills. It is composed of six hands-on lessons for 8-12-year-olds (3rd-6th graders). Each 30-minute lesson includes interactive nutrition activities, active games, a goal setting challenge, and a family newsletter.

CHFFF is currently available for all children in Pickens County. Through an advanced approach in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are now able to offer all lessons virtually. Lessons can take place through the Zoom platform or lessons can be taught by a pre-recorded video for families who do not have internet access. We are excited to be able to bring nutrition education into the homes of children and families.

Anyone interested in the Choose Health: Food, Fun and Fitness program is urged to contact Kadalynn Morton at the Pickens County’s Clemson Cooperative Extension Service Office at (864) 898-8325 or kadalym@clemson.edu.