EXTENSION
The EFNEP team provided a nutrition demonstration to Shiloh Camp & Adventure Course participants in Oklahoma City. The team, along with the help of youth volunteers, created a variety of healthy refreshing fruit smoothies. Representing SAAS are (adults left to right): Joshua Todd, Melvin Williams, Jeremiah Wilson, Dorothy Wilson, and Joshua Davis.
Teaching Nutrition and Health:
EFNEP Makes a Difference JOSHUA TODD, JOSHUA DAVIS, AND MELVIN WILLIAMS ARE NUTRITION EDUCATORS WHO STRIVE TO HELP OKLAHOMANS EVERY DAY. THE THREE ARE MEMBERS OF THE EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM, OR EFNEP, CONDUCTED BY THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IN THE LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES (SAAS).
“O
ur mission,” Todd explained, “is to reduce food insecurity and related problems by teaching schoolage children and families with young children about nutrition and health.”
INTO COM M U NITIE S
The EFNEP team at LU-SAAS works to fulfill program goals in four areas: diet quality and physical activity, food choices for best nutritional quality, food safety, and food security. The program graduated more than 2,000 Oklahomans in 2019 and has served more than 20,000 in the 15 years it has been affiliated with the university.
EFNEP is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture. Operated by land-grant universities, it reaches people throughout the U.S. and six U.S. territories. According to USDA, roughly 80 percent of families served “We go to schools, community centers, and churches where by the program live at or below the federal poverty level and we can speak with adults and children about healthy life70 percent are underserved minorities. The program uses styles,” Davis said. “The choices our participants make dedicated staff to help its participants lead healthier lives. (continues) regarding nutrition have a major impact S C H O O L O F A G R I C U LT U R E & A P P L I E D S C I E N C E S
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