Extension Food and Nutrition Programs Empower Families
Extension Food and Nutrition Programs Empower Families
Learning about good nutrition is doubly important for Jayda Provorse.
The Jamestown, N.D., woman has diabetes and suffered a heart attack.
To learn how to make better food choices, Provorse participated in NDSU Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Family Nutrition Program (FNP).
EFNEP is a nutrition education program for families with young children and limited resources. Families learn about healthy food choices, food safety and stretching their food dollar through a series of lessons.
FNP is a nutrition education program for individuals and families who are receiving or are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“One of the most important things I have learned is how to choose nutritious foods and read (food) labels,” Provorse says.
She was among 97 adults and 781 youth EFNEP reached in 2019. Survey results show that:
- 93% of adult program graduates and 79% of youth improved one or more nutrition practices
- 84% of adult graduates improved one or more food resource management practices
- 57% of youth graduates improved one or more food safety practices
- 37% of youth improved physical activity behaviors
In 2019, FNP provided direct education to 975 adults and 4,545 youth with significant results:
- 73% of youth choose healthier snacks
- 80% of youth are more physically active
- 71% of youth drink less sugar-sweetened beverages and 61% drink more water
- 53% of adults are eating more vegetables and 50% are eating more fruit
- 70% of adults adopted one or more habits to spend their food dollars more wisely
“Food insecurity has been on the rise in North Dakota as a result of the pandemic and other economic pressures,” says Megan Ditterick, director of EFNEP and FNP. “Our programs are more important than ever as they teach those struggling with food insecurity the knowledge and skills to make healthier choices for their families.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Megan Ditterick, 701-231-6515, megan.ditterick@ndsu.edu