What is Virginia Cooperative Extension VCE is the educational outreach of Virginia’s land grant universities, Virginia State in Petersburg and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg

Virginia Tech College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Extension & Outreach Virginia Cooperative Extension TeachingResearch Administrative Organization

What is Family Nutrition Program? In Virginia, the Family Nutrition Program includes two programs: – Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, SNAP-Ed (Formally Food Stamp Program)

Mission of Family Nutrition Program The mission of FNP is to teach limited-resource families and youth to make healthier food choices and become better managers of available food resources for optimal health and growth.

How do we Reach our Audience Paraprofessionals: Program Assistants deliver nutrition education with hands-on activities in eligible schools and after school programs. Schools and other programs must meet a free and reduced lunch criteria of at least 50% participation rate

The other method to reach our Audience Nutrition Outreach Instructors: Recruit and Train volunteers and collaborators to deliver classroom education (50% schools) and teach SNAP/WIC eligible adults Provide curriculum, student workbooks and on-going support for our partners

Classroom Education For Preschoolers

Reaching Preschool Parents Backpack Newsletters

Classroom Education Grades K-2

Classroom Education Grades 3-7

Skill-Based Nutrition Education- 6-12

Nutrition Education for Schools receiving the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Grant Fund

Partnerships for Reaching Parents Nutrition Messages for Websites Text Photos

Partnerships for Reaching Parents We can work with you one on one to develop a social media plan to engage and educate your parents around healthy eating. The purpose of social media is to bring people together, spark conversations & share information. We use social media to reinforce in-person nutrition lessons with supportive content & messaging. We are constantly creating & disseminating nutrition, physical activity, food safety, & food resource management content to our followers.

Partnerships for Reaching Parents Digital Media (Online or on smartphones) Parents can be invited to follow us on social media Daily tips on smart choices for nutrition and health Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook

Partnerships for Reaching Parents Future Developments Online Low-Cost, Healthy Recipe Database – Will be posted to Pinterest (social media sharing site)

Partnerships for Reaching Parents Future Developments Eat Smart, Move More Blog Ask the Expert feature – Picky Eaters, Physical Activity ideas, family meal ideas, cooking tips Videos – Cooking Skills (knife skills, cooking methods, etc.) – Podcasts by VT Students, such as shopping techniques, switching to whole grains, making smart drink choices, etc.

Where are we located?

How Do We Partner? Contact Us Austin Brooks Judy Stevens