About us banner.

About EFNEP

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is the nation’s first nutrition education program. EFNEP is a Federal Extension (community outreach) program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA).

EFNEP has been serving Louisiana families since 1969. Dedicated to reaching a diverse, limited resource population EFNEP; helps the community develop skills to make healthier choices that will lead to healthier diets. Using a hands on approach, EFNEP focuses on food related practices to help participants achieve personal and family wellness. Taught by peer educators who live and work within the community, EFNEP delivers research-based teachings through a series of interactive direct-education lessons. EFNEP also partners with community agencies to improve food and physical activity environments.

Mission Statement: The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is designed to assist limited resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed-behaviors necessary for nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to their personal development and the improvement of the total family diet and nutritional well-being.



Program Objectives

  • Improve diet quality and physical activity
  • Improve food resource management
  • Improve food safety and security

Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements

  • Limited-resource, urban or rural, parents or adult caregivers with young children who are responsible for the planning, purchasing and preparing of the family's food
  • Families who are eligible for USDA food assistance programs
  • Families receiving public assistance
  • Pregnant teens and women
  • Youth from families, urban or rural, participating in an USDA food assistance program or receiving other federal assistance
  • Youth attending a Title 1 school in which 50% or more of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals
  • Youth receiving free or reduced-price school meals


Parishes that EFNEP serves:

  • Acadia
  • Bossier
  • Caddo
  • Calcasieu
  • East Baton Rouge
  • Jefferson
  • Lafayette
  • Orleans
  • Ouachita
  • St. Landry

coordinator messagepng

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

Top