Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program (WNEP) In : 68 participating counties Urban and rural parts of the state reached

What is WNEP? UW-Extension nutrition education program that helps limited resource families and individuals--  choose healthful diets and be physically active  handle food safely to avoid food-borne illness  become more food secure by making food spending plans, planning meals, and using thrifty food shopping practices

WNEP is EFNEP and SNAP-Ed EFNEP is the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program. Currently in 6 Wisconsin Counties SNAP-Ed is Nutrition Education associated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/formerly called food stamps). Currently in 68 Wisconsin counties

Funding for WNEP Federal dollars  EFNEP: nearly $900,000 in federal funds for Wisconsin  SNAP-Ed: $8,500,000 in federal funds for Wisconsin SNAP-Ed federal funds must be matched by local or state in-kind (1 : 1) Other grants and contracts: $300,000

Who is WNEP for? SNAP (Food Stamp Program) or FoodShare participants and applicants Families and individuals who are eligible for FoodShare EFNEP is specifically for low income families with young children and for groups of youth

WNEP educators teach at: Public schools (K - 12) Senior meal sites Health Departments WIC clinics Department of Human Services Job Centers Gymnasiums, parks, after school programs Garden sites, farmers’ markets Extension offices Homes AND…lots of other places.

WNEP State & National Partners USDA –Food & Nutrition Service (source of SNAP-Ed funds) –CSREES (source of EFNEP funds) Wisconsin Department of Children & Families, FoodShare Program University of Wisconsin –UW-Extension, Family Living Programs. –UW-Madison, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

WNEP Local Partners County Governments in 68 Wisconsin counties Over 900 local community agencies--such as WIC, schools, Human Services, Public Health, Head Start, food pantries.

WNEP WNEP educators made over 429,000 educational contacts

WNEP Teaches about Healthful Food Choices Parents learned to choose and prepare nutritious snacks for their children Adults learned to choose lower fat foods at fast food restaurants Youth learned about the MyPyramid

Examples from Milwaukee County Thousands of schoolchildren learn about healthful food choices from WNEP educators Before the lessons only ¼ of the students knew how many fruits & vegetables they should eat each day After the lessons, over 80% of the students knew this and nearly all had tried new fruits or vegetables during class time.

WNEP Teaches about Food Safety Youth learned how to wash their hands correctly Adults learned to avoid cross contamination when handling food, to cool food quickly, and to cook ground meat to a safe temperature.