EFNEP Teaches Youth to Make Healthier Drink and Snack Choices, Read Labels, Be Physically Active and Reduce Screen Time

Maryland EFNEP provides education to youth from 6-18 years old (K-12) at schools in after-school programs, in-school, through 4-H/EFNEP clubs, day camps, at community centers, neighborhood groups, gardening and cooking workshops.  The EFNEP youth audience includes limited-income youths, living in low-income communities in Maryland.

Children and youth learn about healthy lifestyles: healthy food choices, food safety, food shopping, and increasing fun, safe, and sustainable physical activity, and reducing screen time.

The goals of the program are to:

  • Educate youth on the principles of nutrition, physical activity, and good health.

  • Increase the variety of healthy food consumed by youth with particular emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium rich foods.

  • Provide youth with the necessary skills to select and prepare low-cost nutritious foods that are safe to eat.

Types of EFNEP Youth Program in Maryland:

Program Description

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Program for Children and Adolescents

Workshop series consisting of 5 lessons lasting 1 – 1 and ½ hours and is offered in-school or in after-school programs. The in-school programs are delivered during enrichment periods or during science or health classes.

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Program with Basic Cooking

Series consisting of 5 lessons lasting 1 and ½-2 hours and is offered to Elementary to High School youth. Students will be taught basic cooking such as knife skills and preparing simple foods.

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Program with Basic Cooking and Integration of Technology

Series consisting of 5-8 classes lasting 2 hours per class is offered to Middle to High School students. Students will work in groups and acquire hands-on cooking skills. Technology is integrated into the nutrition education classes to enhance learning strategies using interactive technologies such as videos, quizzes, Jeopardy games and interactive Google searches.

 

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Program with Gardening

Series consisting of 5-8 classes lasting 2 hours per class and offered to children and youth of all ages. In addition to nutrition education, students will participate in gardening activities such as planting and harvesting. Children will prepare recipes utilizing garden fresh produce. This program is offered only during the summer.

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Program with Basic Cooking, Gardening, and Integration of Technology

Series consisting of 5-8 classes lasting 2 hours offered to students in Middle and High School.  Students will work in groups and practice hands on cooking.

Cooking, gardening, and technology are integrated into the nutrition education classes.